Signs You Need a Break From Social Media

There’s no denying the fact that social media is a huge part of everyone’s lives. So many people use it to connect with old friends, stay updated on the news, find new businesses to shop at, and much more. But because it’s so easy to access and use, social media can become addictive and even consume your every waking moment.

If you’re finding that you’re using social media way too much and it’s affecting your offline life, then something has to give. It may be time for you to take a break from social media. Don’t know if you truly need to do this? Then here are four signs that you need to take a break from social media.

1. You keep comparing yourself to others

I already talked about this a long time ago in my Stop Comparing Yourself to Others on Social Media blog, but it still bears repeating. Scrolling on social media too much can cause you to start comparing yourself to others. It’s important to remember that social media is typically a highlight reel of sorts, where people only show off the best parts of their lives. If you can’t scroll through someone’s profile without comparing yourself to that person (especially if it’s someone you’re especially close with offline), that’s a problem. It’s time to put the phone down and take a break from social media for quite some time.

2. You can’t enjoy yourself without posting about it

It’s one thing to want to document life events or parties on social media. (In a pre-pandemic world, of course!) A lot of us have been guilty of doing that. But you shouldn’t let it consume you. If you share a photo from an important event (i.e. a wedding, birthday party, etc.) and keep checking to see how popular said photo is, that’s a tell-tale sign that you’re obsessed with social media. Moreover, you’re obsessed with how popular you are on social media- and that’s an extremely unhealthy mindset to have. If this describes you, then a break from social media is necessary.

3. You check social media right after waking up and before bed

According to one study, 80 percent of smartphone owners check their phones just 15 minutes after waking up. Doing this can increase your anxiety and stress, which is the last thing you need first thing in the morning. Conversely, an article from 2019 pointed out that looking at your phone right before bed can negatively affect you too. Most noteably, it can make it harder to fall asleep because your brain has been stimulated before you try to fall asleep. If you practice one or both of these bad habits, a break from social media can help you break them.

4. Using social media doesn’t feel like fun anymore

No one has to have social media. That statement may sound crazy, but it’s true! You don’t need to have a Facebook, an Instagram, a TikTok, or literally any other social media that exists. The idea of social media is to have fun while interacting with people online. If you find that you’re not having fun while scrolling through social media, that’s not a good thing to feel whatsoever. In fact, it may be time to take a break from social media. When you come back to social media, you’ll more likely find it to be a fun experience once again.

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If you find that one or more of the above is currently happening to you, then perhaps it’s time to take a break from social media. Whether you do it for several hours or a day or two, we all need a much-needed break from social media from time to time. There’s no shame in it, as I myself have had to do exactly that. Have you needed to take a break from social media? Tell me your experience in the comments below!

xo,

Elizabeth