Social media nowadays is more than just a social network. It is used as a tool for businesses and a way to communicate with others. Although sometimes, we can get too caught up in the scrolling world that we don’t realize how it could be affecting our well being, relationships and even work.
As a social media manager I work with various social media platforms every day. It’s my job to scroll, to build community and relationships with people. Social media is a business tool so deleting it just isn’t an option… or is it?
The answer is yes. Yes, you can delete social media and you know why? Because it’s good for you.
The average person will spend nearly two hours a day on social media.
Want to to see if you fit the average? Take a look at your Screen Time (iPhone) or Digital Wellbeing (Android) feature on your phone. The results will likely surprise you. You can see which categories you spend the most time on. Entertainment, productivity, social networking etc. You can also see how many notifications you get a day and how many times you pick up your device. As someone who works on social media for work, my times may be a bit above average but I want to give you a look at what my statistics look like.
Average Screen time per day: 4 hours 33 minutes
Social networking (you will be knocked off your feet here) 24 *hours* 20 minutes! (Time for a social media detox!)
Pickups: 92 per day
Notifications: 59 per day
This is a lot of phone time! Most of it is social networking.
So here’s why it’s so important to take some time away from social media, even if you use it as a business tool. And some tips to get around the business aspect of it to put your mind at ease when you step away.
1. Social media tends to make you focus on others more than yourself
You mindlessly scroll, coming across a picture of how your co-worker bought a new car, or that your friends went out and had sushi on Saturday night. Are these things you really need to know about? No, not really. It’s entertaining, for sure. But this tends to just make you more concerned with what others are doing with their lives, rather than what you are doing with yours. Weekends spent working towards your personal, or business goals may not be glamorous or Instagram worthy. But it’s good for you. Taking the time away from social media means that you have to go out of your way to find out about other peoples lives. It’s not just information accessibly to you. So if you need to know what others are doing you will have to be intentional.
2. Too public
Privacy has gone out the window, that is usually when it comes to social media. Of course as a business, keeping people in the loop about new offers or features you offer is key to your account and potential leads. But are you being too public with your personal account? Or finding it draining when others are too public with their lives? This could be a sign that you need to take a step away from the screen. Realigning what is appropriate to post on social media platforms and what is private to you or your family sometimes comes from taking a step away and realizing that you can still have a good time, without having to post about it or update your Facebook status.
3. Distorted version of reality
I can tell you that many accounts you follow on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok are not all they say they are. Not that they are lying to you with their words, but sometimes it can be hard to differentiate whats real and whats not. You see it in magazines, on billboards, TV ads and so many more places, especially on your own device. With the apps available to literally anyone, you can’t trust what is real or not. I can make the trees in the fall look more radiant than they actually are, my skin more glowing, even make water move in a still image. False images are thrown to you left and right and sometimes it’s exhausting. Even if you don’t realize it.
4. Live in the moment
Ever been to a wedding and can’t actually see the beautiful bride because of all the phones popping up all over the place? Cellphones have actually changed how professional photographers do their job. Some couples have asked that people put their phones in a basket because the photographer won’t be able to get professional pictures without arms stretched all over the isle trying to get pictures or live videos for the world to see. We have sometimes forgotten how to truly live in the moment. Taking a social media detox will make events or scenery more fulfilling for you. Try going outdoors for a hike and just breathe in the fresh air, take in the moment.
Resist the temptation to pull out your phone to document the event or share it with your friends. Do it for you.
5. Free up your time
Now that your phone doesn’t have 410 notifications (okay maybe that an exaggeration) a day from Facebook or Instagram what do you do with all your free time? You can read a book, try yoga, go for a long walk with your dog… the possibilities are endless. You may even notice your energy go up, with removing yourself from comparison and false reality.
Quick tips to take a break from social media if you need it for work:
- Get a scheduling app. Apps like Later can schedule your content for you if you need to be on top of posting for your business. Put in a bit extra time to retrieve content and caption your posts. Schedule them for times that suit your audience, simple as that!
- Only delete your personal account to cut down on time you spend endlessly scrolling on the platform. Restrict your time limits to only work hours or only to answer messages or comments. (check in once a day for only a few minutes and avoid going into the feed. Only check notifications or places that actually need your attention.)
- Hire someone to manage your social media accounts for you, so your account is still active even if you aren’t. This will make it easier if you want to make it a routine to get unconnected with the digital world more often.
Taking a digital detox (more specifically social media) has multiple benefits to your personal well being. The world will not end if you don’t post an update. Allow yourself to step away from time to time. It’s becoming more and more important as social media grows to set boundaries with what’s private and what’s public. Start with one day, then a weekend, and adjust accordingly. Some can go a month, while for others, a day is just as refreshing.
If you are looking for someone to manage social media for your business, send us an email or call us at 780-652-1190
