Is social media taking over your life? Tips to detoxify

We live at a time when ‘do it for the gram’ or ‘one for the gram’ is slowly becoming part and parcel of our daily activities. In extreme cases, there are people who can never live without checking or posting on social media.

In fact, most of us are always guilty of popping in on Instagram or Facebook or Twitter the first thing in the morning even before getting out of the bed.

Some might argue that things like social media, were invented to make our lives better so we can have more control over the limited amount of time we have every day. But is social media actually improving our lives? Or have we become slaves to our own creation?

Here are tips on how to detox from social media and have a healthy social life;

1. Track your habits

In order to fix a problem, you have to admit you have one. Step one of your social media rehab is checking in with yourself and being honest about what’s not working for you right now.

2. Break the social comparison cycle

Scientists have discovered that most people who use social media end up comparing themselves to the lives of everyone they know. The problem with this is that it can have a serious impact on your self-esteem.

3. Turn off your notifications to reduce temptation

Silencing your cell phone by turning off the notifications for all social apps will help reduce the urge to check your feeds.

4. Create boundaries

Have two rules that you follow every day. For instance, I am not allowed to open any social media apps until I’ve woken up, had a cup of coffee and maybe prepared for work. Follow your rules to the latter.

5. Replace social media with another activity

It’s not enough to excise social media from your day. You need to fill that void with something else, otherwise you’re just going to claw your way back.

6. Have a cheat day

It is never that serious. We’re all human, and sometimes we want to belly up to that Vera Sidika Vs Otile Brown drama saturating our news feeds.