Top Signs That You Need To Take A Digital Detox

Following the global outage that left mainstream social media apps: Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp down for a total of six hours yesterday - is it prime time to rethink our relationship with social media?  
 
Apparently, the outage was due to an internal technical error which caused major issues for Facebook’s services (who also own Instagram and WhatsApp) – affecting over 10 million consumers around the globe. It has been reported that around 3.5 billion people use the social media sites in question. The enormity of the outage has resulted in Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerburg, losing out on an estimated £4.4bn in shares.  
 
While Facebook has since apologized for any disruption caused, we can’t help but wonder - has this social media blackout been a blessing in disguise?  
 
Nowadays, we are glued to our phones more than ever. Whether it be frantically refreshing your news app on the commute to work, or mindlessly scrolling through Instagram whenever you get a spare moment – we’re all guilty of it. The ever-evolving advances in technology have made everything so accessible - we can quite literally have anything we want at the click of a button.  
 
However, with the mass social media outage sparking a public debate over how reliant we are on these platforms – here are our top signs that you need to take a digital detox, and why it’s not only beneficial, but vital, for improving your mental well-being.  

You’re Missing The Moments In Front Of You  

When you’re out for dinner with a loved one and the first thing you do is whip out your phone to add photos to your story – you’re spoiling the moment.  
 
It’s all well and good taking pictures when you’re doing something nice, but you should try to have a cut-off point for when and how often you use your phone – especially when spending time with family and friends.  
 
Prioritizing time away from the screen when you’re out and about will allow you to reconnect with the present and embrace each experience whole-heartedly.  

You Can’t Stop Comparing Yourself To Others  

If you’re constantly watching unrealistic “what I eat in a day” videos on TikTok or following influencers who promote gimmicky weight-loss products – you might have found yourself in the dreaded realm of self-criticism.  
 
While there are many benefits to using social media, it can quickly become a toxic place if not used wisely. If you’re starting to feel negative, insecure, or simply drained from certain types of content – hit that unfollow button.  
 
Taking regular breaks from social media, as well as being aware of the type of content that you expose yourself to is key in maintaining a healthy mind.  
 
Whatever you spend your time aimlessly scrolling through will be rooted in your subconscious, which can affect sleep and stress levels if not managed properly.  

You’re DoomScrolling  

If the first thing you do when you wake up is scroll on your phone, then you need to take a step back. 
 
 Think about how much time in the day you would save if you didn’t spend that hour or two looking at memes or having a cheeky stalk to see what your ex was up to.  
 
Once you realize how much time you’re wasting, you can start to implement more positive habits into your routine, which will aid productivity.  
 
The duration of your social media detox is completely up to you – it can be a day or a week. Whatever you decide, ensure that first and foremost you’re always prioritizing your own happiness and self-worth.  
 
Whether it be tracking your usage, setting a specific cut-off time on your phone, or turning off your notifications completely – take the time to find what works for you. Remember that - life is for living, not scrolling.  

In case you missed it,  How to Maximize Your Productivity