Are you in a “new year, new you” mindset? Do you want to start fresh with a whole new mindset? If so, look no further than deleting your social media accounts.
Now this may sound strange for many but hear me out. Social media has become second nature in American society mainly among Millennials and Gen Z-ers. One cannot wake up in the morning without opening an app. Meeting new people is more common in cyberspace than it is to meet face to face. Christmas card photos, pregnancy announcements and relationship status updates are now made known in a world of 240 characters. These status updates can be very off putting and make one seem lonely or even annoyed. The only remedy that comes to mind is to walk away. It is time to escape the mind control of social media.
If you have made the decision to give up social media, it is best not to give up cold turkey. I suggest that you delete your apps but not your accounts. You never know when you will need to use your account or have to answer to someone. This way you won’t be having those coffee-like withdraws and you are slowly making strides toward the exit door.
Secondly, slow and steady wins the race. With the deletion of social media apps, you may see a rise in your mental health.
In a study done by the University of Pennsylvania, 140 undergraduates were asked to either regularly use their Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat or limit each one to just 10 minutes a day (30 minutes total). Upon completion, the study found that the students who limited their social media usage felt significantly better after the three-week period. Baby steps. Baby steps. Baby steps. Even in just a small amount of time you will get your sense of mental relief.
Furthermore, while cutting down on social media, make it your objective to raise your productivity. All those assignments that you have procrastinated on because you wanted stayed on Instagram just 10 minutes longer can now be done on time.
In an article written by The List, it states, “According to the American Psychological Association, constantly going back and forth between your phone and your work can cut your productivity by as much as 40 percent!” When you has deleted social media, you can prioritize the work over the play.
While this assignment may come as a challenge, remember that with any challenge there will always come great reward. If you know that social media has become an issue for your mental and physical health. The time is right for quick click of the delete button.