How To Do A Social Media Detox To Refocus

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This post is all about how to do a social media detox.

I know starting and/or completing a social media detox isn’t easy, but with a little push in the right direction, you can do this.

Social Media Benefits And Drawbacks

Social media has become a part of modern life. Applications like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube have grabbed our attention on our smartphones.

Whether you need to catch up with an old friend or find a person, social media apps are there for you. However, there are more drawbacks.

Social media not only deviates our attention from the outside world. Plus, it can also negatively impact sleep and eating schedules.

Why Social Media Detox is Necessary?

Spending too much time on social media can negatively affect your life.

Therefore, a social media detox is necessary from time to time.

5 Things To Do Before Starting A Social Media Detox

There are so many ways you can detox social media. How before you start your journey, it’s vital to prepare in order to detox successfully. Here are a few things to o before starting a social media detox:

Define your “why”
Set specific goals and how they will be achieved
Keep track of your progress
Set a clear start date and end date
Plan how you spend your social media break

1. Define Your “Why”

The first step in detoxing from social media is to identify why you want to do this in the first place.

Is it because you’re a busy person who needs to focus on the things that matter most?

Are you an introvert who needs time to recharge?

Do you have trouble with self-esteem issues, or feel like all your time on social media makes you feel bad about yourself?

Whatever your reason for the detox, makes sure it’s clearly defined because it will be what keeps you motivated to complete the detox when you feel like quitting.

2. Set Specific Goals And How They Will Be Achieved

Set specific goals for your social media detox. Think about what you want to achieve by taking a break from social media — maybe it’s feeling less stressed out or more confident in yourself.

Whatever it is, write down your plan, so it’s clear.

Plus, having specific goals defined makes it easier to commit to the detox.

For example, one goal can be to reduce your time spent on social media by 50% by December 31, by not using any social media apps after June 30th.

3. Keep Track Of Your Progress

It’s important to keep track of your progress during this time off from social media.

You might be tempted to spend all of your time relaxing or doing something completely unrelated to what you were trying to accomplish when you started the detox in the first place.

But if you’re going to be successful at this, then it’s necessary that you stay focused and accountable to yourself in order to make sure that your goals have been achieved.

4. Set A Clear Start Date And End Date

In order to keep the momentum going, it’s important to set a goal for yourself.

For example, if you want to give up social media for 30 days, set a start date with a deadline for your completion – don’t cheat.

After your 30 days are up, slowly transition back to using social media. Remember, you don’t want to redevelop the bad habit of constantly using social media, so take it slow.

5. Plan How You Spend Your Social Media Break

It’s important to plan how you plan on doing during your social media break.

Therefore, decide what activities you’ll do during the break. For example, learning a new skill.

This is a good way to keep you focused on other things other than social media.

You can set up reminders in your calendar or use a planner to keep track of your plans.

8 Ways To Use Social Media Less

Here are 8 ways to use social media less during your social media detox:

Delete the social media apps
Start a morning routine
Turn off the screen before bedtime
Get a new hobby
Turn off notifications
Talk to family and friends
Give time to the outer world
Practice meditation

1. Delete The Social Media Apps

This is one of the easiest ways to reduce your social media use.

Just remove all those apps from your phone, tablet, or computer until you feel ready to use them again.

In general, this is one of the easiest ways to use social media less because you will have less access to it.

2. Start A Morning Routine

Create a morning routine that doesn’t include checking your phone or computer screens first thing in the morning.

Instead, wake up and focus on something — meditation, exercise, whatever works for you — before checking your phone or computer screen.

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3. Turn Off The Screen Before Bedtime

Turn off screens at least an hour before bedtime to ensure your gadgets don’t become distractions just before you go to sleep.

This will help reduce anxiety and decrease stress levels in general.

Related Post: How To Stay Focused

4. Get A New Hobby

Using social media constantly can drain your energy. An average social media user spends at least two hours and twenty-four minutes on their phone.

Instead, use your time and energy to acquire a new skill. For instance, learning a new language.

5. Turn Off Notifications

Turning off notifications is a great way to significantly reduce the amount of time you spend using various social media platforms.

Plus, turning off notifications is a great way to stop getting constant notifications that really don’t matter.

6. Talk To Family And Friends

Instead of using the likes of Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, call your friends and family and talk to them or meet them personally to spend quality time with them.

7. Give Time To The Outer World

The outer world needs your attention too. Put your phone away and go outside.

Once you are outside, inhale the fresh air, and stay there for a while.

This will soothe your eyes and your ears too.

If you live in a crowded place, it might be hard to get fresh air, but still coming to your balcony and watching people walking by can soothe your mind.

You can also tend your small garden, and read a book outside.

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8. Practice Meditation

Mediation is a good thing to do during a social media detox.

In fact, it can help increase concentration, calm your head, and decrease the urge to check your phone.

Overall, it can be beneficial to take time away from social media as it allows you to experience your real life.

While you won’t be able to watch your likes rack up, you can use that time to refocus on other things and make the most of your time both online and offline.

Now, the most important decision is when will you start your social media detox.

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