Want To Improve Your Mental Health? Get Off Of Social Media
Boomsite—-Chattanooga, TN
Want To Improve Your Mental Health? Get Off Of Social Media
A new study shows that young adults who took a week away from social media had significant mental health improvements. Researchers tracked 295 participants ages 18 to 24 who reduced daily social platform time from nearly two hours to about 30 minutes. Results showed anxiety symptoms dropped 16.1%, depression symptoms fell 24.8%, and insomnia decreased 14.5%. Study co-author Dr. John Torous from Harvard Medical School told The New York Times that cutting social media shouldn’t “be your first-line or your only form of care.” He noted “the averages are encouraging, but they definitely don’t tell the full story, the variance was just so tremendous.” American Psychological Association’s Mitch Prinstein called social media breaks “a simple and free solution that seems to lead to quick improvement.” However, experts note mixed results in previous studies.
Listed below are tips from Calm.com on how to detox yourself off of social media.
1. Schedule some downtime
Is your phone the last thing you look at before going to sleep and the first thing you reach for in the morning? Break the cycle by setting a “digital curfew” an hour before bed to unwind naturally and ensure better sleep quality.
2. Set time limits on apps
Most smartphones have built-in features that allow you to limit the amount of time you spend on specific apps. Take advantage of this by setting daily limits for your most-used social media platforms.
3. Gradually reduce social media usage
Going cold turkey may be overwhelming. Try reducing your social media time in increments. Start with a two-hour break and gradually increase to a full day or weekend.
4. Tell your friends and followers
An announcement can make your commitment more real and keep you accountable. You may even inspire others to join you in the detox.
5. Engage in offline activities
Use the time you gain from staying off social media to engage in offline activities that make you happy. Whether it’s reading, going for a hike, or meditating (more on that later), these activities give your mind the relaxation it deserves.
Courtesy of UPI
Courtesy of Calm.com
