Nowadays, many of us are glued to our cell phones when we have down time because, let’s face it, we’re on social media. But taking a break from it could be good for your mental health and overall well-being.
Although social media connects us to friends and family, and makes it possible to share memorable moments with them, overuse could contribute to mental health problems.
“They tend to have this unrealistic view of other people’s lives,” said Nora Maza, a PhD student at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi. “When you’re comparing yourselves to others you might tend to feel negatively about your own life.”
A&M students like Maza who are studying the impact of social media on society say it can lead to anxiety or depression. It can also isolate you from the real world.
That’s why Maza and Agnes Luo, a PhD candidate at TAMUCC say, taking a break can be beneficial.
“It could increase your sleep quality,” said Luo. “It could then lead to greater life satisfaction, happier mood.”
Meanwhile, Christina Buttler ditched Facebook for 40 days, because she felt like she spent too much time on her phone.
“It’s definitely been life-changing for me,” said Buttler.
Buttler admits it was tough at first, but it wasn’t long before she began spending more quality time with her family.
“We did more. We hung out outside, and enjoyed sitting on the porch and on our back patio, and letting my son run around,” said Buttler.
Buttler also says now, she’s become more aware of how much time she truly spends on social media.
There are also phone apps that can help you limit your social media time. Plus, smart phones also allow you to monitor your screen time.
