Five signs that you might need a social media break

In today's generation, social media is at the forefront; it has become the biggest form of mass communication for people all over the world. You can now post a wide variety of things from the comfort of your own home, your favourite coffee shop, or even on a hot, sunny beach. Gone are the days when there needed to be mass newspapers or social gatherings on the television screen, to keep you up to date on the latest world news. Everything is now in a central place, easily accessible from anywhere, at anytime. Although social media has its benefits, it can also pose a lot of potential challenges for those who consume it more often than normal.

Here are 5 signs that you might need a social media break

Comparing yourself to others
Comparison is MOST DEFINITELY the thief of joy! I can definitely attest to the fact that social media can really twist your mind into thinking you are living the wrong life. This happens a lot when you scroll through your feed and come across images and videos of individuals who seem to have the ideal fantasy life; either with the ways their bodies look, or the materialistic items they sport. It's important to note, though, that many people showcase what they want you to see. Behind closed doors, a lot of people are struggling and post those images for comfort. Never fall into that trap of wanting to be like the next person or have the "perfect" lifestyle. Be in competition with yourself and not those around you. Trust me, you will feel a huge sense of relief and decreased stress.

Struggle with keeping your eyes off your phone
Ah! Now, I am not going to lie and say that I don't struggle with this, because I definitely do! I love social media, so whether I'm at work on my breaks or at home during my down time, you'll catch me on my phone scrolling through my feed. Sometimes I won't even realize how long I have been on my phone for! That's pretty bad if I do say so myself! It is very important to give your eyes and your body rest whenever you are using an electronic device. Take frequent breaks by either going for a walk, conversing with others, or even reading a book. Trust me, your eyes and body will thank you! You'll also be less likely to get tired or strain your eyes throughout the course of the day.

You start developing low productivity
Social media is definitely distracting and it can have huge implications on your day-to-day activities. I can definitely relate as it was a struggle for me in University to master. If you don't find adequate solutions, you will realize that you had a million and one things to do and couldn't complete anything due to being on social media. Make sure to set a timer for yourself, or even a planner for all your daily activities. Set specified times for work and leisure so that you get a good balance between the two, but make sure not to let social media overtake your productivity! After all, it will always be here waiting for you!

Your social media life overtakes your personal one
Be careful not to let social media affairs trickle into your personal life. There always needs to be a healthy balance between your social life and personal one. The moment you discover that your social media fantasies creep into your reality, is when you have to reevaluate your habits.

Not being able to sleep properly
Social media can wreck havoc on your sleeping patterns if not cared for properly. For me, it has definitely ruined my sleeping habits and it's been quite the challenge to get my body to a comfortable sleeping pattern. I catch myself staying up longer than I should and feeling super tired throughout the day. This is the worst combination, especially as a person on the go Monday through Friday. Make sure that you limit your social media and screen use in the evenings; at least 1 hour before bedtime, turn off any electronic devices. This will allow you to ease into your sleep more efficiently, thus decreasing the possibility of throwing off your sleeping pattern. If you end up like me on the other hand, you will have to ensure that you start a new sleeping regime; try to wake up and fall asleep at the same time every day, for about a week or so. You will notice that your body will start to get more adjusted to the change, and you'll be able to feel more well-rested and ready to take on the day!

These are all 5 signs that you need a social media break! 

Can you relate to any of them? 

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