Social media can keep us connected to our favorite actors, neighbors, friends, and coworkers. It can also prevent us from meaningful connections with loved ones in the same room. We’re going to talk about unplugging from social media and how yes-it can be done!
Unplugging from social media is stepping away from news feeds, status updates, and notifications to reconnect with real life. Disconnecting for any period of time, limiting access, and replacing social media can improve relationships with others.
Do you ever feel like there’s not enough time to do what you really enjoy? How much time do you think you spend each day on social media platforms?
What Does It Mean to Unplug From Social Media?
When we unplug from social media, we disconnect ourselves from it. This can be for a short period of time or an extended period of time. It can also include paring down the social media services you use because there are so many of them available these days. Unplugging from social media can help us reconnect with real life and those people who bring purpose and meaning to each day.
How to Unplug From Social Media
There are several different options when it comes to unplugging from social media. Let’s take a look at some ways to accomplish this.
Disconnecting
Disconnecting from social media can mean logging out and walking away, or putting down your smartphone. It can also mean turning off notifications, which means less interaction. Another way to disconnect from social media is to get rid of some accounts. Do you really need access to every social media outlet on the planet? Nope! Pare down to one or two for more meaningful interactions.
Minimize Access
There are so many ways to access social media from our smartphone to our laptop, our desktop and our smart watch. To minimize access, only use one gadget to access social media. Less gadgets means less notifications, therefore less distraction and more productivity! You can also remove the apps or “hide” them in folders or another screen, making it a little more difficult to access them. Also consider putting your devices in sleep or airplane mode-this will limit access with some devices.
Time Limits
You can try setting a time limit for yourself to access your social media accounts. There’s so much click bait and distraction and logarithms to keep you engaged that it can be super easy to lose track of time. Before you know it-you’ve been connected for an hour and a half! Set a timer for a reasonable amount of time (say 10 minutes) and when time is up, disconnect. Also avoid any screen time for an hour before you go to bed for better sleep. You’ve got much better things to do!
Replace With Something Else
We all have things that trigger us to pick up our phones and start scrolling through social media. Whether it’s because our partner is on their phone or we’re waiting on a meeting to start, we should know what triggers us and have something to replace that habit. Activities like reading a book, going outside, playing with a child or pet, and even meditation can be a much better habit than getting on social media. Besides-you might enjoy these things so much more than scrolling through your news feed!
What Are the Benefits of Unplugging From Social Media?
There are so many social media outlets available to us that take up precious time and can actually affect our mental health and energy. When we disconnect from social media, we can reap so many benefits. Just take a look:
- Decreased stress
- More free time
- Less stress
- More meaningful interactions with others
- Less exposure to misinformation
- Improved sleep
- Better health
- Less comparison to others
- Improved self esteem
- And so many more!
So if you’ve found yourself in the thralls of overwhelming social media and felt like you don’t matter, it’s time to unplug from social media and reconnect with yourself!
Related Insights
Why Should You Unplug From Social Media?
You should unplug from social media because it’s a time waster! It’s also a distraction, a bad habit, and there’s not much fulfilling about scrolling through other people’s doctored photos and scripted videos. What we see on social media is not the whole truth. People (even celebrities!) share the happy stuff, the good memories, the big events, and doctor photos for your likes and shares.
Unplugging from social media frees you of the comparisons to others and helps you realize that everyone has good as well as bad times. That’s life and it’s better shared with the people around you rather than the digital world.
How Long Should You Unplug From Social Media?
The period of time you unplug from social media depends on many things. Consider avoiding your news feed while you’re exercising, while working, and while on vacation. Then consider taking a week off or even longer-it’s up to you. You’ll probably find you’re not missing much online because what’s in front of you is so much more important!
This helpful video explains how unplugging from social media will benefit your life.
Does Social Media Cause Disconnection?
Social media can definitely cause disconnection-from our loved ones sitting right next to us, from the things we need to be doing around the house and at work, and from real life. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in funny videos and forget the tasks around the house you needed to get done. Got a notification?
What happens when you drop what you’re doing to check it? Now I forgot what I was supposed to do… When we focus on social media we disconnect from what actually matters. Would you rather connect with an influencer or with your partner?
What Happens When You Disconnect From Social Media?
When you disconnect from social media, you become more aware of the world immediately around you. You no longer concern yourself with what’s going on across the pond, around the globe, or even in the next state-these things don’t immediately affect you. You’re more present in the moment, you connect better with others, and you’re not distracted by notifications.
You may even find you’ve got more time to do the things you really want to do. Plus-your mental health could make big improvements because you no longer have anything to compare your life with online. You give yourself the chance to recharge your batteries, and you could truly be more happy.
The Most-Used (Or Favorite) Social Media Platforms by Real People
I asked 5 friends and family members to list their three favorite (or most-used) social media platforms to which they belong. On a scale of 1-5 (1 being empty- 3 being neutral – 5 being complete), they rated how content they feel after spending time on the platform. Here is what they shared and what I learned from the poll:
| Social Media Platform | Scale | Family/Friends |
| 4 | 1 | |
| 2 | 2 | |
| Tik Tok | 2 | 1 |
| 5 | 1 | |
| 1 | 4 | |
| 2 | 2 | |
| 4 | 2 | |
| Tumblr | 3 | 1 |
| YouTube | 5 | 4 |
| 4 | 2 | |
| Snapchat | 4 | 1 |
| 4 | 4 | |
| 5 | 4 | |
| 2 | 3 | |
| 4 | 1 | |
| 2 | 1 |
Other Resources:
- Digital Minimalism – Guide to Simplicity in Our WiFi World
- Minimalist Technology – Leveraging Tech for Happier Living
Living in a world that is so interconnected it’s no wonder we all suffer from stress, mental health issues, and decreased self-esteem. Unplugging from social media can help us begin to cut some of those cords, but it starts with a choice. To step away, to disconnect, to dedicate ourselves to letting go of constant connection and reconnecting with ourselves. Whether it’s for a day or for a year, unplugging can free up our time, improve our sleep quality, and improve our mental health. Don’t you owe yourself that much?