How to minimize your time online during periods of stress and uncertainty
Picture your daily morning routine: You wake up, check your social media, brush your teeth, get dressed, hop on the bus to campus, and then check your social media again. What’s the latest TikTok trend? Have any influencers posted since last night? You find yourself scrolling through an endless stream of new pictures and videos until it’s time to head into class. You walk into the lecture hall, connect to the Wi-Fi, and… check your social media again before class starts.
Social media has become a significant part of everyday life in modern society. When making new friends, one of the first things we do is add them on Snapchat. After a fun day out, you might consider posting pictures on Instagram of that yummy pizza you ate for lunch or that artwork you admired at the museum. If you don’t consistently keep up with TikTok influencers, you might feel like you’re missing out on the trends.
Social media platforms have provided us with the opportunity for global communication, easy ways to connect with people, and simple ways to share the best—and worst—parts of life.
Although social media can be fun and the simplicity of online communication keeps people connected across the globe, it also poses many challenges for its users.
These days, there has been an influx of bad news and misinformation spreading across the internet, ranging from how many COVID-related deaths there are in your city to incorrect data about vaccines. Thus, clicking the wrong link or reading too many posts regarding a stressful topic might leave you feeling sad and frustrated.
If you feel that the social media environment might be a source of negativity in your life, taking a break might help you improve your overall happiness. Here are a few ways you can spend your time instead of using social media:
- Try a new hobby. This could be anything you find fun or interesting like bird watching or sewing.
- Read a book. Focus on something you like without online distraction.
- Spend time in nature. If you have a backyard or balcony, sit outside, get some fresh air, and observe the beauty of the natural world.
- Go for a walk. This can help you clear your mind and feel more relaxed.
- Write in a journal. Focus on yourself by writing about something that matters to you.
- Spend time with the people you love. If there is a movie or game you all enjoy, watch or play it together and you’ll be guaranteed to feel happier.
- Learn something new. Do research on a topic you’d love to learn more about.
Alternatives to social media
Communication plays a vital role in society, and social media has provided us with a way to engage in it instantaneously. Therefore, maintaining the ability to communicate with the people in your life is very important, even when detoxing from social media. When trying to stay in touch with people, consider these alternatives:
- Send an email. Enjoy the ease of the internet while avoiding any social media outlets.
- Make a phone call. This is a great way to talk to someone and focus only on the conversation itself.
- Visit someone in person. Interact with people in real life without the distraction of your phone.
- Send a letter. This is a chance to be mindful of every word you put down on paper. You can also exercise your creativity by including drawings, doodles, or stickers.
- Arrange a Zoom call. Video chats are a great alternative to visiting someone in person, especially if distance is an issue or one of you is ill.
A personal social media journey
I’ve always struggled using social media in a healthy way. I scroll through Instagram and automatically compare my life and how I look to others. This caused a lot of negativity in my life during high school, so when I moved to university, I decided to start a social media detox.
I started my detox by only allowing myself to go on popular apps for an hour a day, and with time, I found I was actually losing interest in social media altogether. After a year of working on this, I have successfully removed social media from my life (I have accounts, though the apps are not downloaded onto my phone) and I feel much happier! My time is now filled with activities that I find more meaningful, such as reading and journaling.
Even though I removed myself from social media, I don’t think that this is necessary to develop a healthier relationship with it. You can use social media daily and still enjoy it for its benefits. However, just be careful not to take anything on social media too seriously, and remember to always put your own mental well-being first!
A version of this article appeared in print in The Ontarion issue 192.3 on April 1, 2022.
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