Social media is a double-edged sword. It keeps us connected to friends and family, and it can be a source of entertainment and information.

At the same time, social media has been linked to mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and poor self-esteem. Fortunately, recent research suggests that taking a break from social media can improve mental wellbeing. A study performed in 2018 found that taking a one-week hiatus from social media can lead to significant improvements in mental health.

The Study

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, involved 1,800 adults. The participants were divided into two groups: one group continued using social media as usual, while the other group abstained from social media for one week.

Before and after the week-long hiatus, all participants completed a survey that assessed their mental health and well-being.

The results of the study were striking.

Participants who took a one-week break from social media showed significant reductions in anxiety, depression, loneliness, and FOMO (fear of missing out) compared to the group that continued using social media as usual.

Researchers have identified several ways in which social media can affect mental health. For starters, social media can make us feel isolated, even when we’re surrounded by people.

It creates a false sense of connection, leading us to believe that we’re truly interacting with others when in reality, we’re just scrolling through a screen.

Social media can also exacerbate feelings of envy, inadequacy, and low self-esteem. By presenting an idealized version of other people’s lives, social media can make us feel like we’re not living up to the same standard.

This can lead to feelings of dissatisfaction and unhappiness.

In addition, social media can be addictive. The constant stream of notifications, likes, and comments can create a dopamine loop in the brain, leaving us craving more. This can lead to a vicious cycle of social media use that’s hard to break.

The Benefits of Taking a Break

The study suggests that taking a one-week hiatus from social media can have several benefits for mental wellbeing. By disconnecting from social media, individuals may be able to:.

Reduce feelings of anxiety and depression
Combat loneliness
Decrease FOMO
Improve overall mood and well-being
Develop stronger in-person relationships
Break the cycle of social media addiction

While taking a week-long break from social media may not be feasible for everyone, there are other steps individuals can take to reduce their social media use and improve mental health. These steps include:.

Limiting social media use to specific times of day
Setting a time limit for daily social media use
Unfollowing social media accounts that trigger negative emotions
Spending more time engaging in in-person activities and hobbies
Creating strong personal boundaries around social media use

Final Thoughts

The study highlights the importance of taking a break from social media to improve mental wellbeing. While social media can be a useful tool for staying connected, it can also have negative effects on mental health.

By disconnecting from social media, individuals may be able to reduce anxiety and depression, combat loneliness, decrease FOMO, and improve overall mood and well-being. Taking a break from social media may not be feasible for everyone, but there are other steps individuals can take to reduce their social media use and improve mental health.