Switch on to virtues of logging off
THE unspoken rules of social media can be challenging to keep up with – and that’s part of why so many talk up the benefits of breaks.
So what are the signs that it’s time to log off for a while – and what are the benefits? Health experts share everything you need to know:
What are the signs that it’s time to log off for a while?
It’s important to be self-reflective and honest about how social media is making you feel. There are many signs that it might be time to take a break from social media.
“These include finding you often get annoyed or frustrated with people’s content, comparing yourself to others to the detriment of your health, reaching for your phone first thing in the morning and last thing at night, scrolling social media when you’re with other people, getting into arguments with people online, feeling deflated when you don’t receive the engagement you want on a post, and noticing social media is impacting your work,” said Fiona Yassin (above), psychotherapist, and founder and clinical director of The Wave Clinic.
What is the best way to do it to ensure that it’s effective?
For Yassim, social media has an addictive quality. People revert to it again and again because it’s a source of instant gratification.
But Jas Schembri-Stothart, co-founder of the Luna wellbeing app, encourages people to take the following steps.
“Unfollow or mute accounts (influencers, brands and even friends or family) that provoke negative feelings and contribute to poor mental health. This way the only way you are coming across their content is if you actively search for it,” said Schembri-Stothart.
“Set personal boundaries, like time limits and guardrails around times of the day you want to use social media. Reward yourself for sticking to them
What are the benefits
Studies have shown that limiting social media use can aid wellbeing by preventing sleep problems.
“Many people who use social media experience a fear of missing out, which can drive social media use at night and cause sleep disturbances,” said Yassim.
“Although social media has not yet been proven to cause depression, it is shown to intensify certain symptoms, such as social isolation and loneliness.”