Five Signs That You Need a Social Media Detox

1. You have pain in your wrists, back, or neck.

Have you ever had pain in your wrists, hands, back, or neck? Take a few moments and close your eyes. Check in with your entire body as you take five deep inhales and exhales. Notice whether the body is feeling any dullness, aches, or pains in places that you might be influenced by technology use. This is a full-body scan to see how much you are actually utilizing your body when on your tech.

2. You feel like you need to buy things, go places, and change your life or surroundings for Instagram.

Reflecting on our questions above at the beginning. Have you ever felt bad or insecure about yourself after scrolling through other people's social media feeds? Do you notice you get jealous, upset, or annoyed when looking at someones page? Are you triggered by other people’s opinions, comments, or pictures when on social media? If you are comparing your life to others' instead of feeling purely inspired, it might be time to reconsider how social media is serving you.

3. You spend more than 30 minutes getting a post "ready."

Unless it's a really long post, you're probably overthinking it. Do you feel stressed about posting your photo or content to your social media? What does it feel like if you don’t get to be on social media for the day? If you're not posting your true, authentic voice, and instead you're spending time manufacturing it, it's time for a closer look at how you're presenting yourself and why.

4. Your self-care needs are not being met.

How much time per day do you really spend on social media? Are there other things on your "life and well-being" list that are not being checked off? Would you be willing to turn off social media for 30 days? Do you remember what your personal goals and intention lists were from the New Year? Have you been working with them every month or are they perhaps starting to collect dust?

5. You feel more disconnected from your life's passion.

Does your social media make you feel happy and inspired, connected to your dharma (purpose), and in meaningful relation with other human beings you love? If not, what would you like to give to your heart so it can continue to connect and live from a place of value and self-love? The answers to these questions are not intended to cut you off from the world or to make you abruptly go off social media, but rather to have you do an assessment and check in with yourself and your feelings about your value, worth, and heart’s needs.

Doing a social media detox can be as simple as going off for a day. You can do a detox for anywhere from between one and 100 days. It’s up to you. Only you know what is best to serve your heart and your well-being.

In whatever capacity you engage with social media, it is always important to check in with yourself and remember that you are far more than a social media page. You are a valuable, worthy, and incredible human being. Nothing can give you a feeling of value unless you yourself choose to believe in it. To know and acknowledge that you are valuable each and every day simply because you are a human being? That’s powerful.