Why Do You Need A Social Media Break Just Like Tom Holland?

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Recently, actor Tom Holland announced that he was taking a social media break.
Experts spread light on the mental health benefits of social media breaks.

Spiderman: No Way Home star Tom Holland joined a long list of celebrities in the likes of model Hailey Bieber, musician Lizzo, actress Millie Bobby Brown, and others who took a hiatus from social media to care for their mental health.

Speaking on how negative things circulating on the Internet affect our mindsets, Holland elaborated: “I find Instagram and Twitter to be overstimulating, to be overwhelming … I get caught up, and I spiral when I read things about me online, and ultimately, it’s very detrimental to my mental state. So, I decided to take a step back and delete the app.”

Time and again, research has raised concerns over the excessive use and dependence on social media, trolling, cyberbullying, etc. Recent studies have confirmed that social media poses several mental health challenges, such as:

Social media addiction
Body-image issues
Mental health conditions (like depression, anxiety, etc.)
Increased dissatisfaction with one’s own life
Eating disorders
Sleep disorders
Memory problems
Poor academic and/or professional performance
Social isolation

With digital revolution, social media has infiltrated every aspect of our lives. In a way, it also means that its mental health consequences also fall on a wider audience, including children and the elderly. However, because of the lack of awareness and the stigma around mental health, psychological disorders induced by social media go undiagnosed or ill-diagnosed.

In an age where social media platforms are fundamental channels of communication, networking, and even livelihood—for some people, quitting social media is not an option.

However, experts recommend that a brief hiatus or ‘detoxification’ from social media can do wonders for our psychological well-being and for those around us.

The common mental health benefits of social media breaks include:

Getting the time to address the mental health challenges triggered by social media
Decreased symptoms of fear of missing out or FOMO
Enhanced appreciation for one’s own life
Reduced information overload
Lower chances of social media addiction, social isolation, doomscrolling, etc.
Enhanced mindfulness and stress reduction
Spending quality time with family and friends

Experts have recommended the following measures for taking a social media break:

Deactivate or uninstall the social media apps
Turn off notifications from the various social media platforms
Set a bare minimum time for scrolling through social media
Use social media-limiting apps
Avoid social media use before bedtime to enjoy quality sleep
Practice self-care (like journaling, hiking, gardening, etc.)

Taking a break from social media can help us to become mindful of our lives and surroundings. At first, the temptation to resume social media use may be overpowering, but cutting back on the time we spend online can go a long way.

As the news of celebrities taking social media breaks goes viral, it is sure to motivate more people to go for a social media detox. In the long run, it can help us all enjoy sound mental health and achieve self-contentment and happiness in life.