This I Believe (Essay)
I believe in taking breaks from social media. Technology has undoubtedly provided a connection that has proven beneficial. Social media is a part of our lives whether we like it or not. As our relationship with social media platforms has gradually grown, research has shown that excessive use of social media is harmful. It affects us emotionally, physically and mentally. Social media, while providing us with many advantages, has produced less positive effects. This include cyber bullying, cyber stalking just to name a few. It can spiral out of control and affect our daily lives negatively.
Taking a break from social media is a powerful way to improve our individual welfare. The question many will ask regarding this is, why take a break from social media? Well, a good reason would be that there is much to gain from disconnecting from social media and reconnecting with ourselves and each other. This is why many mental health experts advice taking occasional breaks from social media.
I make it a fun challenge with my family and friends to take a break from all social media platforms for a certain period of time. This can range from between a few hours to a day. Although it may seem difficult, I’ve found that we get to spend more time talking and connecting to avoid boredom. This in-person bonding time has really helped grow our bond.
I believe in taking a break from social media since it has proven beyond doubt that there are a lot of benefits. Disconnecting from social media is vital in order to improve our personal relationships. We normally assume that checking on your partner, family and friends through texting and calling is okay. It seems convenient but it cannot substitute in-person bonding. We need those memories and unfortunately they cannot be made online. Hiking for example is an engaging activity that requires one to be physically available.
Instead of staying glued on my phone or laptop for a long periods of time, I’ve made it a habit to only check my phone three times a day at most. Muting notifications for certain apps like Instagram is also an option. This helps me find more time for myself. That allows me to make time for the activities that I enjoy like reading book and riding my bike. Technological devices usually take up a lot of our time, time we could be using to learn new skills, a new language or just for a hobby.
I believe in taking a break from social media as it allows me to be more productive with my energy. This means that it helps productivity levels to rise. I get to complete more tasks and in turn find time for more tasks. Engaging in more productive activities like writing my own book is better, in comparison with scrolling down a social media feeds.
Social media usage has been greatly linked with poor mental health. A research study has shown a rise in depression and anxiety conditions among teenagers. This is because social media presents pressure for one to be perfect. By deletion or disconnecting from social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook, this pressure is removed. In turn, this ensures that one gets to enjoy a content life.
Social media is not bad thing, but we should take care and handle it responsibly. Disconnecting for a short period of time may restore many benefits to you, your family and friends. I’m encouraging everyone to disconnect from social media and reconnect with each other.
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