When there are so many disadvantages of being a social media addict, why aren’t we trying to break free of this vice? Do we feel that we are social media hostages and there is no way to escape? If this is the case then you need not worry because if there is a problem, there has to be a solution. So here are a few tips from my side that would help you free yourself from this addiction and reclaim your precious time.
There are numerous ways to define addiction, a more scientific way of describing it would be:
Addiction is a brain disorder characterized by compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli, despite adverse consequences. If you ask a layman like me to describe or define addiction I would say it is anything that makes you highly dependent to an extent that you lose the will power to control your choices.
When you are addicted to something you become a slave to it. There are innumerable addictions in this world such as drug addiction, sex addiction, food addiction etc. The addiction which is dominating the world and is taking over like a Tsunami is Social Media Addiction.
Social media and networking have become the backbone of our society and it has slowly clawed up from being a choice to a need. We are all a prey to the very desire to maintain a virtual image just to keep up the so called “Cool quotient”. We perpetually feel the need to immerse ourselves in the world of social media and portray a life we may not actually be leading. People are nowadays abstaining from engaging in any real-life social interactions as their brains have now been conditioned to believe that the best way to communicate is through the internet or social media.
It has become so popular among the millennials that they are constantly at a risk of online exploitation. When there are so many disadvantages of being a social media addict, why aren’t we trying to break free of this vice? Do we feel that we are social media hostages and there is no way to escape? If this is the case then you need not worry because if there is a problem, there has to be a solution. So here are a few tips from my side that would help you free yourself from this addiction and reclaim your precious time.
Plan your day:
The best way to limit your social media usage is to plan your day by making a time-table in which you can allot a specific time for the use of social media. This way you are aware of the tasks you ought to finish and the time required to do that. This in a way would motivate you to get your tasks done quickly. At the end of the day, you’ll be satisfied see that you have successfully managed to put your time to a good use by limiting yourself from social media.
Get a new hobby:
Now that you are trying to limit your social media usage, you’ll have ample amount of time to pursue a hobby. Why not learn a new skill or do something you are very passionate about? I have personally tried this method and it has not only helped me limit myself from social media but has given me a meaning. Hobby is meant to calm you down and bring you at peace. When you do something so soothing and enjoyable you are actually training your mind to discover what holds more significance. You’ll not feel the need to surf the internet, as your mind will be preoccupied with something more meaningful.
Turn off your notifications:
Don’t we all feel the urge to check the social media sites as soon as the notification pops up? Notifications are a constant reminder that something is happening in the online world and we don’t want to miss out on it. We spend a lot of our time and energy in checking the notifications. If we decide to turn off these unnecessary notifications, we’ll have a lot of time on our hands to perform our daily tasks and meet real people.
Digital Detox:
Cull your friend and group list:
Check through your friend list and the groups you have joined. Filter your friend list by keeping only those people with whom you have a close connection or are important to you. See the groups you have joined and try to unsubscribe the ones that are not necessary. This way you’ll see fewer posts in your feed and get fewer notifications, thus less distraction.
Spend time with your friends and family:
The best way to cheer yourself up is to hang out with your loved ones. It is perhaps the most constructive and fun way of combating social media addiction.
Go for a dinner or movie with your friends and family and you’ll never feel the need to touch your phone. It is always better to meet someone in person instead of chatting on social media sites or commenting on their posts.
Volunteer for social causes:
This is something that will not only help you refrain from social media but give you a sense of achievement and satisfaction. There are various social causes you can volunteer for such as teaching the underprivileged children, spreading the awareness of cleanliness, etc. This is the best way to utilize your leisure time and culminate social media addiction.
There is no recognized treatment for social media addiction but the tips that I have mentioned above will definitely help you get rid of this addiction. But these tips will be of use only if you have the desire to free yourself from the pangs of social media addiction. The people who are addicted have no idea of the damage they are inflicting upon themselves so it is very important to combat your addiction as soon as you notice the signs of it. At the end of the day, it is all about having the inner strength to maintain a balance. When the thought of having no internet access stops dreading you, you have won the battle!
Author: Payal Rathod
Source : Cover picture image: iarani.inc
Fuzia 
Awesome ideas i think I should follow these ideas
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