Author: Marie Miguel

Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with Mind-Diagnostics.org. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.

Mental health is crucial and a lot of people don’t understand how important it is or how it can affect every aspect of your life. If you don’t take care of your mental wellbeing, you have the likelihood of burning out or even the possibility of feeling like you can no longer function or get anything done. That’s why taking care of your mental health matters. One of the ways you can do that is by monitoring how much social media you use. Some people love to connect with others online, whether it’s Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, etc. It can be exciting to connect with online friends and keep in touch with your real-life buddies. But there are times when social media can become overwhelming. It’s sort of like eating cookies. They’re delicious but when you have too many of them, it can upset your stomach. Taking a technology break can help your mental health. Here’s why:

Comparison to Others

One of the detriments to social media is that some people compare themselves to others via a steady stream of well curated social media pages that display the perfect lives of stylish, successful people with perfect bodies or your ideal lifestyle. The reality is, you don’t know what really happens behind closed doors in other peoples’ lives or what people are really going through or feeling inside, but seeing pictures of everybody seemingly happy, sharing their wellbeing, can sometimes be difficult. You may think, why am I not feeling contentment? Why does everyone else seem to have everything so figured out? It’s especially difficult if you’re feeling depressed to see people thriving. It’s not necessarily that you’re jealous, it’s that when you are feeling down you might feel ashamed that you are unable to be or project that successful, happy image. If you do feel envious of people being happy or enjoying that one thing that you desperately want or want to achieve, don’t punish yourself. We’re only human. But if you do start to feel those feelings, it’s okay to take a break from going online.

The News Being Spread on Social Media

Another reason to take a technology break is that a lot of people may share articles or opinions that are triggering to you, or may cause an acute stress response. Sometimes platform algorithms dredge up clickbait content, targeting audiences by playing on our existential fears and our pain, regardless of the validity of said content. Maybe the political climate is toxic and you don’t want to deal with it, but all you see on your Facebook timeline is people discussing or arguing heatedly over politics. It’s crucial to stay informed, but sometimes we all need a break from these issues or any topic that can weigh heavily on the heart or cause severe mental distress. You don’t have to be an activist every second and while you may have essential work to do and contributions to make, it is okay to make sure you take a breather when you need it for the sake of your mental health. It’s good to take breaks from technology, stressors, and the constant influx of information.

Better Sleep

If you find yourself on your phone at night, scrolling through social media sites or what have you, when settling down for the night, you can lose track of time and find it more difficult to fall asleep or to get a night’s rest. Turning off your brain and slowing down into a relaxed state can be difficult to do with a brightly lit screen and more information coming in. Many people have this issue. Taking a break from technology or even shutting off the technological devices whether it be your phone, computer, tablet, or television, an hour before bedtime, can help you sleep better. Some people rely on mindfulness apps or meditation technology or online books to get to sleep at night. While these can be helpful tools, it is also okay to practice meditation or read without using an app. Research has shown that technology can stimulate you at night and allowing your mind and your body to relax and your thoughts to slow down, without lights and sounds and distractions, leads to better sleep and often to a better mood the next day. Taking a break from technology can actually help your mental health improve. So, it’s okay to take a break.

Arguments on Social Media

Sometimes people get into heated debates on social media. You might disagree with a friend who you know in real life or an acquaintance. Perhaps you have an online friend or mutual friend or even a stranger that is disagreeing with you. The Facebook reply feature for example can present like an invitation to argue with people. Sometimes comments made by people or by bots can stir up heated arguments and verbal attacks. If you find that people are being unreasonable and it’s upsetting you, or if you feel exhausted or emotionally battered, it’s okay to take a break from technology. You don’t want to exacerbate your mental health by arguing with someone who isn’t seeing your point of view or willing to discuss things productively. It doesn’t always matter how logical you are. Sometimes people just don’t or won’t get it and it’s okay to step back from that argument. If you’re not gaining anything from the discussion and it is causing you emotional harm, it’s okay to disengage by taking a break from social media. Sometimes a heated discussion can be triggering and draining in a way that’s different than having a logical argument with someone where you’re learning new information. So, if you find yourself in such a scenario, feel free to step away for your own mental wellbeing.

Learning About Mental Health in Therapy

Technology can be useful in some ways. Online therapy is a great place to discuss issues surrounding taking a technology break. An online counselor can help you understand what’s triggering you in social media. You may feel more comfort knowing somebody understands you. If you want to learn more about your mental health, you can visit resources online such as https://www.mind-diagnostics.org/

Don’t be afraid to reach out for help if you’re struggling with setting limitations on technology or any other mental health issues.