- By Times’ Junior Journalist Pia Grover
I recently took a one-month break from social media and deleted apps like TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram and Pinterest off of my phone, keeping only the important apps like WhatsApp, Messages, Weather, Spotify, and Docs.
I found this very, very detoxing as I wasn’t running around the house trying to locate my phone every two minutes and found I was more focused on tasks like reading and math homework.
I noticed I had more creative ideas, more time to spare and actually had a chance to experience boredom.
I was more social with my family and started listening to podcasts on Spotify, something I would have never ever thought I would get into the habit of.
The radio, The Edge, became my morning entertainment along with Tate McRae, Olivia Rodrigo and Gracie Abrams.
You may be asking, why are you telling me all this?
Well, I think taking a break from social media is super beneficial for your health and that of everyone around you.
Some signs of needing a break include mood swings based on likes, comments or follower count, experiencing FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) when you aren’t online, checking social media first thing in the morning and/or before going to bed, the feeling of having to post, loss of time due to doom scrolling, etc.
Results of deleting social media start from reduced anxiety and depression, improved self- esteem, healthier and more engaged relationships with the people around you, more free time, increased productivity, better sleep, more time to focus on things you enjoy like art, exercise, reading, piano, etc.
After learning less than half of the benefits of taking a break from social media, you can see how good this is for you, so why not give it a go?
- Pia Grover is in year 8.
