Although social media can be fun and a way to connect with others, it can also be a source of anxiety, depression, and a warped sense of reality.
Social media can also be something to lean on when you want to distract yourself from your emotions and in moments of stillness.
If you have been feeling discontent in your life, or as if you cannot be still without reaching for social media, perhaps a social media detox could benefit your mind and body.
More Time for Creativity
By disconnecting yourself from social media, you will have more time to be creative in your life, especially when it comes to designing your life in a way that feels good and in alignment with the reality you desire.
Instead of being on social media, you could replace this time with cooking new recipes, creating art, discovering new hobbies, starting a movement routine, or bringing a passion you have back into your life that perhaps you had forgotten about.
Letting Go of Comparison
Disengaging with social media can also be a great way to let go of comparisons. Social media can trigger you to compare yourself with others in unhealthy ways. When social media is consumed less, this trigger dissipates.
By not constantly watching others’ lives and feeling the pressure to be like them, you give yourself the chance to find what practices, routines, and rituals work for you as an individual.
Intentional Consumption
Consuming less social media does not have to be an all-or-nothing proposition. You can learn to discern and create what a balanced, intentional, and pleasurable consumption of social media means for you.
For instance, perhaps this means you delete Instagram because you find yourself constantly comparing yourself to others each time you are on the platform, but you choose to keep YouTube because it brings you joy.
Discovering what a mindful, balanced, and intentional consumption of social media looks like for you will be an ongoing practice. Exploring which parts of social media you genuinely enjoy and those you do not will help you use it as a source of pleasure and connection rather than distraction and numbing.
Social media can either destroy our relationships with others and ourselves or be used to intentionally bring pleasure and joy into our lives. It can also be something that either distracts or benefits your healing process. At Avalon Malibu, we will support you as you explore what helps your recovery and what doesn’t so you can replace the latter with healthy coping skills. Our team of professionals is here to support you as you continue to take strides in your healing journey toward wellness. If you are struggling, your life can change with treatment. Call us at (844) 857-5992.
