Building Better Habits: Social Media & Tech.
6 hours a day of screentime may not seem like a lot…
But that’s nearly half of your awake-day. Half of your year, gone. No wonder we feel so drained, exhausted, and depressed…
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Welcome to the first article of many to come regarding creating better habits. Today’s topic: social media & tech.
Let’s face it: almost all of us are chronically online, addicted to our excessive dopamine-releasing blue-light-emitting pocket machines. If you’re not one of these people, more power to you! I, however, have found myself hitting 6+ hours of screentime daily. Embarrassing.
So, let’s put that in to perspective, shall we?
6 hours a day = 2190 hours per year of screen time. 2190 / 24 = 91 days.
Did you read that?
91 DAYS of screentime per year.
Do you see the problem here? 3 months. 3 entire months of your life spent wasted on usually meaningless videos and pictures of what everyone else in the world is doing. Keep in mind, that is 91 24-hour days. You’re not even awake for 24 hours a day… So let’s say you’re awake for 12. Now, that 182 days of awake time spent on social media. that’s half of your year. 6 months.
Now, social media can be a wonderful thing. For me, it has really helped grow my art business. You can also find lots of inspiring content that can help motivate you to try new things or create new habits. But, no matter how positive the content is that you’re watching, if you’re watching it for 6 hours- it’s not working.
If you’re watching other people hike for 6 hours, why haven’t you gone on a hike yourself?
If you’re watching other people cook delicious healthy meals, why are you sitting on the couch eating chips for dinner while watching it?
I think you get my point. In short, a balanced amount of social media can play a crucial role in motivating and inspiring you to better your life. However, if you only ever watch and never do, it’s unhealthy.
I know that I am personally struggling with this, and that’s why I’ve decided to write about it. Every time I start to feel down and depressed, it’s important to take a step back and look at the habits I’m enforcing each day. 6 hours of screen time? Likely the culprit.
Social media is designed to keep you coming back for more. You find yourself reaching for your phone even when it’s not buzzing. You can’t live without it. You make justifications as to why you need it and why it’s okay to use… because it “helps you.”
Sounds eerily similar to any other addiction, does it not? (It does.)
The flashing colors and lights, the instant dopamine hits, and immediate gratification; it keeps us hooked, and it’s not healthy. Depression, lack of motivation and energy, and poor sleep are all side effects of too much technology use.
So, let’s actively break this cycle. Set timers on your phone if you have to. I personally am aiming to cut my screen time almost completely down, probably to about an hour a day if I can. You don’t have to make this drastic of a change at first, but ultimately it is up to you to remain consistent for the sake of your health.
Keep a journal, set timers, and be intentional about decreasing your screen time. Keep a list of things that you can actually go DO! Here’s some ideas to get you started:
Read a new book
Go for a walk and listen to an audiobook or podcast
Go to the gym
Try a new hobby or work on one you already love
Cook a new meal
Get together with friends! Get coffee, read together, or go on a hike!
Now, this likely won’t be easy. But it will be good for you. Here are some benefits that will help to keep you motivated during your social media detox:
Improved concentration
Decreased anxiety
Decreased levels of depression and exhaustion
More time to work on your hobbies and interests
Time to create a healthier, more active lifestyle
Improved mindfulness and awareness of your surroundings
Let me know in the comments how you plan to cut down your screen time and what you will do instead!
Note: All information provided in this article is based solely on personal experiences. It is not intended to be construed as medical advice. Readers are advised to consult with qualified healthcare professionals for any medical concerns or issues. The author and publisher do not accept any responsibility for actions taken based on the information provided in this article.
