5 Reasons to Disconnect from Social Media Once in a While
Gone are the days when life was completely experienced and shared in real-time. Thanks to technology, social interaction in our today’s world now take place behind a screen. In fact, a face-to-face relation with friends and family is almost a rarity now as most users of social media, a by-product of technology, have an unhealthy attachment to it.
While the social aspect of social media is of great benefit as it allows users to connect with friends and family on a daily basis, despite the distance, it can, on the other hand, interfere with real life and bring on a lot more problem than can be imagined; which is why it is important to disconnect once in a while.
Need motivation to disconnect? Jumia travel offers a few reasons to put down the electronics at least once a week:
Valuable time is wasted while connected
A majority of Nigerians who have access to social media go online every single day, and almost constantly. With computers and laptops at work, tablets at home, and smartphones in their pockets or within reach throughout the day, they are always connected. This becomes a huge distraction as they end up investing so much time socializing rather than doing actual work, studying or accomplishing their goals for the day.
You prevent mental health disorders
This may sound farfetched, but it is actually a very valid point. There is an actual mental health disorder known as “Internet addiction’, an unhealthy attachment to the internet or social media can have detrimental effects on the brain. Some of these effects include sleep disorders and depression. Psychologically , also, spending a lot of time on social media can rouse unhealthy feelings of jealousy, envy, and loneliness. Powering down for a period of time provides the opportunity to reset and refocus appreciation and gratitude for life as it is.
A chance at solitude
In an always-connected world, it is hard to find some quality time to spend alone. Alone time is great for thinking deeply or abstractly and offers the chance to reflect on life as well as the message in our hearts. Basically, we are left with our thoughts and our mind is free to wander. When we are always doing something and always entertained by social media, however, we often don’t take the time. True solitude and meditation will always require the intentional action of shutting off our social media channels.
Connecting and socializing with real people
Although a lot of people have a great number of likes and followers on Social media, they lack real friendships and genuine social skills. Taking a break from social media forces users to look up from a digital screen and see the natural world of the great outdoors and connecting with a few good friends or family in person, allowing opportunities to nurture deeper, lasting bonds that create lasting memories.
A shot at regaining self-control
Social media streams showcase the lives of their users and notify them of everything happening all around them. Within this constant stream of notification, the fear of being left out, grows, hence the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) syndrome recognized as a recently emerging psychological disorder brought on by the advance of technology. No matter what a user is working on, they feel the need to respond to the social media. Turning off social media helps them gain a sort of self-control. Strictly adhering to a no-social media schedule forces one to work even when they have access to their technology, and build the self-control to power down at a specified time.
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