Admit it or not, our day will not be complete without looking at our social media accounts. Social media has become a game-changer ever since it became popular around the early 2000s. It has paved the way for improving communication, fighting boredom, and staying updated to the latest events.
Social media has been a source of vital information despite the existence of fake news. It has also helped businesses boost their sales and customer awareness. More importantly, it has connected people despite being miles away from each other. However, some people end up in addiction treatment facilities such as Active Recovery to help manage their social media addiction.
When to know if it’s too much
Browsing through social media accounts has been a daily habit for millions of people all over the world. It has saved us from boredom and has helped us keep in touch with current events. While social media use is generally not a big deal, it can be if it already affects your everyday life.
Like any addiction, social media addiction stems from the excessive use of social media platforms. There is always this urge to log in to your social media account and scroll away. So much is the time spent on social media that people already forget focusing on more important things such as their work and even their family lives.
Social media can make people happy, even for just a while. But as we all know, too much of everything is bad. It seems harmless at first, but it is damaging in the long run. So how would you know if you’re addicted to social media? Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- Do you start and end your day with social media?
- Do you spend a lot of time browsing your social media account(s)?
- Do you post all (or most of) your every move on social media (ex. posting a photo of your lunch, ranting about a love quarrel or other personal issues, etc.)?
- Do you feel anxious every time you are not logged in on social media?
- Do you always browse your social media accounts to the point that it already affects your work and personal life?
If these questions talk about you, then it’s time for something about it. Otherwise, it can lead to dire consequences that can affect not only your productivity but also your relationship with your loved ones.
How to lessen social media use
Excessive use of social media can lead to stress and other mental health issues. It can also affect one’s productivity at work, as well as increase the pressure to be better than others. Here are some ways to free yourself from excessive social media use:
- Make sure to limit your social media time and redirect your focus on your work and other personal endeavors.
- Turn off notifications that will tempt you to open your social media accounts for the nth time.
- Do a social media detox now and then. Go out with friends and family, and spend some “me time.” It will help a lot to reconnect with the people who matter the most.
