Say ‘No’ to Social Media Addiction
Social media is immensely popular with people of all ages – teenagers, homemakers, working professionals and the retired! There is an entire world waiting to be explored on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. And before you know it, you are addicted to social media.
So, what does social media addiction mean? Well, it refers to the excessive urge to log-on to social networking sites several times a day. And much more than required.
For instance, the call of social media is so strong that you’ll pause whatever you’re doing, just to scroll through Facebook or Twitter. Sounds familiar?
So, when did social media turn from a boon to a bane for many individuals? Let’s look at that now.
Rising Popularity of Social Media & Its Addiction
Thanks to the rise in smartphone usage, it is easier than ever to log in to social media. You can interact with your friends, family, acquaintances, and peers at the touch of a button. Additionally, you can also post pictures and videos, check-in and even go LIVE.
No wonder, there is an unprecedented rise in people, not only using social media but also addicted to it. Interestingly, according to this report, over 3.8 billion people actively use social media!
Well, here’s the thing. Social media has become so popular that people cannot get their eyes off it! And though we can’t deny that social media websites have changed the way we communicate, share, and interact virtually, there is a bigger question at stake.
HAS THE DEPENDENCE AND INVOLVEMENT WITH SOCIAL MEDIA GONE TOO FAR?
Surely, you have seen such a scenario often: People around you are hooked to their phones, iPad, or laptops. While travelling, in the office, at a social function or at home with the family.
Virtually everywhere, people are checking Twitter updates, adding new Facebook status updates, uploading latest pictures, et al. And doing so is fine, occasionally.
But if the tendency to scroll through social media crosses healthy limits, it turns into an obsession. So much so that you start using social media to escape from reality. And before you realise it, social media starts interfering with your life’s priorities.
NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE
DID YOU KNOW?
As many as 5 %-10 % of Americans are addicted to social media. And people are talking about themselves, 80% of the times.
According to research, social networking sites can lead to feelings of self-pity, self-doubt, and not being good enough.
For example, when you see your friend’s latest holiday pictures and feel sad about not having gone on a holiday for months, even years.
Or when you read about someone’s accomplishments and instantly compare yourself with them. Such interactions trigger thoughts of loneliness and low self-esteem.
Most importantly, they have a negative impacty on our mental health and wellbeing.
HOW TO AVOID SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION?
1. Prioritize Your Work and Daily Routine
No matter what it is you do in life, knowing how to prioritize your daily routine is crucial. Don’t ignore your priorities in favour of surfing the net and wasting precious time, checking other people’s status updates.
Be mindful. And make a conscious effort to understand that the time you waste on Facebook, Twitter, etc., could be easily spent on acquiring new skills. You can improve your business, learn something new or spend quality time with your family members.
2. Be Conscious of the Time You Spend on Social Networking Sites
A lot of social media addicts waste a considerable number of hours each day scrolling through social media without being conscious of it. If you want to avoid getting addicted to social media, keep a tab on the actual time you spend on these websites.
Once you are conscious about the number of hours you are wasting every day, you will take steps to control such blatant time wastage.
3. Finish Your Important Work First
You should curb your desire to log in to your Facebook, Twitter or Instagram accounts, first thing in the morning. Instead, complete your important work first. And if in-between you’d like to take a short break; you can spend some time on social networks.
To clarify, this is a tried and tested method to avoid getting addicted to Social Media!
4. Block Social Media Websites at Work
If you find it difficult to concentrate on your work and often check your phone at work, make a conscious decision to block social websites.
Most importantly, the logic behind this is simple yet powerful – if you can’t access these websites, you won’t be wasting your work hours on them.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
To sum up, if you are serious about improving your productivity at work and minimizing distractions, you can consider trying out an internet and website blocker called Freedom. It works on iPhone, iPad, Windows, and Mac computers), and it will help you to boost your focus and concentrate on the task at hand.
DO YOU WISH TO HIRE A HIGH-QUALITY CONTENT WRITING SERVICE FOR YOUR WEBSITE CONTENT WRITING NEEDS? Then, CONTACT US