Logging Off

Why a Social Media Cleanse Is Beneficial

Photo by Antonette Marie on Unsplash

Most people have some form of social media they are dedicated to. Whether it’s a perfectly curated Instagram grid, a Snapchat streak with a friend or a TikTok account, many of us spend a little too much time glued to our screens, heavily focused on staying connected. Nevertheless, a social media cleanse—defined as a temporary break from all social media platforms—is a necessary self-care tactic to keep ourselves in good shape mentally and physically.

One main reason to partake in a social media cleanse from time to time is its benefits to mental health. Sometimes, people don’t realize how addicted they might be and how that can impact us mentally until they take a cleanse from it. Taking a break from all social media apps can reduce stress and anxiety, allowing for better sleep and rest. With more time for self-care during the day and less doomscrolling at night, a social media cleanse can boost improved mental health and is a necessary practice every now and then.

When overwhelmed with work or other responsibilities, a social media cleanse can be quite helpful with increasing productivity, in turn releasing that stress. Taking a break from social media gives more time to focus on other things, like schoolwork, hobbies, working out, hanging with family and friends and more. All that time spent scrolling could be spent on things that need to get done and things that may be procrastinated otherwise. A social media cleanse can alleviate that procrastination and make us more productive without the distraction of social media.

Taking a break from social media can also be great for personal growth, being removed from the unrealistic standards all over social media, improving self-esteem as well. The only way to move forward is to not dwell on the past, which may be documented on social media in various forms. Additionally, fixating on other’s posts and photos can be detrimental to our growth as a person, comparing ourselves to unrealistic standards. Cleansing oneself from social media can get rid of these standards and help us become better versions of ourselves.

Truth be told, social media is an important way to stay connected to friends, family and current events. Some may not want to do a social media cleanse for fear of missing out on something. While that aspect may cause some stress during a social media cleanse, the positive benefits are worth missing a few posts during a short cleanse.

In the world we live in, it’s no secret that social media is a big part of life. It’s unrealistic to fully quit social media, but taking a break every now and then is highly beneficial to one’s well being. It doesn’t have to be often or long–just when you need a boost, log off social media for a little while, and reap the benefits.