What Does Addiction To Social Networks Lead To, How To Get Rid Of

2023 Author: Jessica James | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 04:20

Panic when you are left without a phone, and inability to concentrate. Together with psychotherapist Elena Weiss (@helen_wize) BeautyHack identified the signs of social media addiction and figured out how to deal with it.

Elena Weiss

psychologist, psychotherapist

Gadgets make our lives easier. But often we grab the phone, regardless of whether we need it on business or not. Many people are familiar with the situation: in your free minute you look at the news feeds of social networks and end up hanging there for several hours.

1. Panic

The first alarm bell is panic when you are left without a smartphone.

Stop, focus on the problem, and exhale 30 times, releasing the anxiety. After 30 seconds, you will switch to another question. It turns out that many cases can be solved without a phone in hand.

1. All attention to the phone

As a blogger, this problem also affected me. When communicating with my friends or my husband (he is especially nervous if a smartphone separates us), I say to myself: “Now I put my phone down and I don’t look into it for an hour”. Believe me, an hour for many is a very long time.

I do not recommend using programs that block applications. It won't diminish the stress. Here, as with diets, mindfulness is important. I don’t believe that a person who has blocked social networks will not take the first opportunity to look into them.

1. No concentration

An “unhealthy” relationship with technology fundamentally destroys the ability to concentrate. This reduces performance and develops stress.

Prioritize: do you want to achieve a result or watch others do it? In all cases, it is important to have an internal dialogue with yourself and make informed choices instead of procrastinating on social media.

When it comes to procrastination, it’s important to find secondary benefits: why do you need procrastination (need rest or not take on a task due to fear of failure) - and replace them.

1. Sleep problems

Sleep problems are another good reason to give up gadgets in the evening. Read paper books before bed. The bright light of a smartphone activates brain activity. Give up your phone an hour before bed and take a bath instead of watching Instagram.

1. You chat a lot with your friends in messengers

There is nothing wrong with connecting with people on social media. It's a matter of moderation. If you prioritize correctly, you won't feel uncomfortable.

Make one monthly meeting with your friends. You may then have fewer reasons to discuss matters on social networks.

1. Boredom

The habit of being distracted by social media comes from boredom. Real life is not interesting, plunging into virtual, we are trying to rectify the situation. Fill your time with activities that are fun and forgetful. And ask yourself the main question: "What do I want?"

1. Likes

Do you really care about those 200 likes that encourage you to look at your phone every 15 minutes? Or do you, as a good specialist or a caring mother, speak of excellent work, your children and harmony in the family? It is important to be an internally independent person.

1. Anxiety if you are not answered for a long time

If you have an urgent question, just call the person. Don't beat people up for not responding on social media for a long time. Everyone has the right to inner space.