The Benefits of a Social Media Detox: Why Getting Still is Unplugging
Why am I saying goodbye to social media?
With the growing research on social media addiction and the benefits of a social media detox, I found myself feeling conflicted.
As the founder of “Getting Still,” my mission is to help you step away from distractions—the constant noise of notifications and endless scrolling—to connect more deeply with yourself and God. So, I made the decision to show up on social media differently.
In this blog, we’ll investigate the negative effects of social media, simple strategies to reduce social media addiction, and explore how “Getting Still” can help you experience the benefits of disconnecting from social media.
Is Social Media Harmful?
Social media in itself is not inherently harmful.
On its best days, social media helps us to connect, share ideas, and access information. In fact, I have met many lovely people, and made soul connections with kindred spirits, through the vehicle of social media.
But, there is a shadow side to social media. More and more research shows that excessive use of social media can lead to harmful effects like decreased mental health, reduced focus, and strained relationships.
In his book Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World, author Cal Newport talks about the addictive nature of social media and how it is changing our ability to think. Constant interruptions and endless scrolling are eroding our ability to engage in deep, focused, and meaningful work. This type of work is essential for producing high-quality results, mastering complex skills, and achieving meaningful goals.
It’s true. Recent studies show that social media may be connected with neural, cognitive, and behavioral changes in our brains. The constant influx of notifications and rapidly changing content reduces our ability to concentrate, as our brains become accustomed to quick interactions and short videos.
There are several benefits of a social media detox, and one of them is that it helps us reclaim our ability to concentrate.
Social Media and Depression
The addictive nature of social media not only affects our ability to concentrate and engage in thoughtful, deep work, but it can also contribute to mental conditions such as anxiety, depression, and loneliness.
Higher social media use has been linked to increased anxiety and depression in adolescents. Research shows that limiting social media use to 30 minutes per day can significantly reduce feelings of loneliness and depression.
The Effects of Social Media Addiction
So how does social media become addictive and what are the effects of social media addiction?
The answer lies in brain chemistry, specifically a chemical messenger in the brain called dopamine. This neurotransmitter plays a key role in how we feel pleasure, motivation, and reward. Dopamine drives social media addiction by reinforcing behaviors that trigger these sensations. Let’s take a closer look at how this works.
Social media platforms are designed to trigger the dopamine response in the brain, creating addictive behaviors that keep users engaged. Dopamine fuels social media addiction by triggering pleasure and reward responses in the brain like:
- Instant Gratification: Every like, comment, or share triggers a small release of dopamine in the brain, creating feelings of reward, pleasure, and validation.
- Variable Rewards: Unpredictable rewards, like notifications or viral posts, mimic the mechanics of gambling or slot machines. This kind of unpredictable reinforcement maximizes dopamine spikes and reinforces compulsive behaviors like endless scrolling.
- Engagement Loops: Social media algorithms are designed to curate an endless supply of personalized content, keeping users hooked with consistent dopamine hits.
The effects of social media addiction can be harmful to our mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. It has been linked to mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, while also reducing focus, disrupting sleep, and straining relationships.
Social media not only disrupts our ability to focus and be productive but also prevents us from living in the moment. More importantly, it can distract us from the peace, love, and joy found in the presence of God. This is why I encourage social media detoxes and am doing one myself!
Why Getting Still is Stepping Back From Social Media
I made the decision to say goodbye to social media.
As the founder of Getting Still, I started to feel conflicted between my mission of helping others set distractions aside to connect more deeply with God and posting on social media to promote my business.
Social media platforms are literally designed to keep you distracted, to capture and hold your attention through targeted content and instant notifications.
My heart is set on helping you step away from what CS Lewis refers to as the “Kingdom of noise.” Posting about the practice of getting still on such platforms felt like a contradiction to the very stillness I want to help you embrace.
By stepping away from social media, I hope to connect with you more authentically by creating new resources and content for you in my blog. I also want to practice Christ-centered yoga, meditation, and prayer with you in The Yoga Abbey, and learn alongside you in my workshops, studies, and trainings.
How to Reduce Social Media Addiction
So how can we help you step away from the “kingdom of noise” and reduce the likelihood of social media addiction? Here are some simple tips:
- Take regular breaks: Even a few hours away from your screens each day can help you reset and experience the benefits of a social media detox.
- Set boundaries: Set specific times of the day for social media use. Create no-phone areas in your house. Limit the Apps that you have on your phone.
- Create mindful habits: Silence your notifications. Create a yoga or meditation routine. Put your screens to bed at a specific time each night or plan a weekend away from your screens entirely.
- Prioritize REAL dopamine: Engage in offline activities like nature walks, reading, art, or spending time with loved ones to shift your focus away from social media.
If dopamine is what makes social media addictive, it makes sense that it can also help us reduce social media addiction. Essentially, we want to break the pattern of dopamine-driven behavior linked to social media use and prioritize healthier ways of stimulating dopamine naturally.
The good news is that dopamine is naturally released through actions that promote happiness and well-being, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising, practicing yoga or meditation, listening to music, spending time in nature, and cultivating gratitude.
By engaging in these fulfilling activities, you’ll encourage healthy dopamine release without relying on the artificial sources of pleasure that social media provides.
Learn How to Get Still With Free Resources
At Getting Still, we teach spiritual practices that help reduce social media addiction! Christ-centered yoga, meditation, and prayer are healthy, natural ways of stimulating dopamine in your brain, and they can help you unlock the full benefits of a social media detox. Would you like to learn more? Grab your free resources here.
