A few years ago I did a detox from Facebook and now i want to share how to detox from social media and the great benefits it has to your mental health!
My experience detoxing from social media
It was AWESOME!
I was in school at the time so it freed up time to do other things…like you know…in the real world. Instead of scrolling through Facebook and ending up on whoever’s page I would go to the gym, read, get ahead on schoolwork or spend time with my now husband.
Speaking of my spouse he does not have a Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and I notice that his mindset is different from mine simply because of social media. He has more time to focus on himself and is not as concerned with celebrities, the latest trends or (my favorite) other women.

Related Post: Social Media The Good Side
How I detoxed
I did not login to Facebook at the time for about 5 months. When I returned, I was not the same. I did not post my everyday life, I did not spend as much time on the app and I did not compare myself as often to others because I was content and happy within myself.
I recently decided that I needed to refocus so I have begun to limit myself again on social media.
So, how can you detox from social media?
First, choose a social media app that takes up your time to detox or do them all.
It may seem difficulty to take time away from where you spend your time the most. This is why it should be done!
Your mind may struggle with deciding which account to deactivate or detox from and that may mean that all must go! Another route to choosing which one is to go on your accounts feed and practice mindfulness.
How do you feel when scrolling through? Are you comparing yourself to others and silently judging? You may feel happy and catch yourself laughing at the latest meme.
Whichever brings you the most negative emotions, a detox is needed!
Related Post: How To Embrace Life
Next, decide what your last day is going to be and what day you will return.
Be sure to have a personal goal for when you return, so that it does not take you back into the poor habits you may have had previously.
Then, begin to write or make a mental note of the things you need or want to do during the time you would normally spend on social media.
Learn a new language, complete a reading challenge, practice self care or journal. Any type of activity you do, be sure it is for the improvement of you! Now is the time to focus on your goals, dreams and how you plan to get there.
Related Post: Journal Prompts
After that, enjoy as much social media as possible and inform friends that will normally tag you in things or send you things on social media.
This was the hardest for me! I kept thinking of all of the conversations I would miss out on if I were not on social media. “I’m going to loose contact with my friends”!
It is tempting to go back to soon when your friends are telling you what you may be missing out on. However, I had supportive individuals in my corner and they were sure to remind me that conversations can occur outside of social media.
Remember the point is to focus on yourself not others.
Lastly, delete the app (s). Out of sight out of mind, as the old saying goes.
I would routinely go through my phone and choose whichever account I wanted to scroll through while sitting around. When detoxing I would go through my phone and only find apps for reading books, meditating or breathing techniques to calm any anxiety about not being online.
It worked wonders!
This is a great idea, a detox from social media will give me so much more time in my day. I think I’ll give it a try this December, thanks for the idea!
Let me know how it goes! Th hank you for reading
This is such a great post and a reminder that social media does affect us in the wrong ways. But, it’s important to take time for ourselves and love ourselves no matter what we see on social media.
Exactly! Thank you for reading.
This is such a great post and a reminder that social media does affect us in the wrong ways. But, it’s important to take time for ourselves and love ourselves no matter what we see on social media.
Exactly! Thank you for reading.
I can see this helping some but for me social media is my down time. I visit Facebook like I watch tv and only do it for 30-60 minutes.
I can see this helping some but for me social media is my down time. I visit Facebook like I watch tv and only do it for 30-60 minutes.
That’s the overall goal. I know many people who cannot get things done because they are on social media constantly.
It takes a lot of courage…
It does and it did
It takes a lot of courage…
It does and it did
I so need to do this. Social media consumes so much of my time!
I so need to do this. Social media consumes so much of my time!
It’s so easy for it to do that haha
It is so freeing to get away from toxic social media sometimes. When I travel, I leave all the news outlets and social media outlets at home (I don’t check them on my phone). My mind feels so much more relaxed.
I was forced to that due to lack of service in the area and when I returned I didnt even notice I hadn’t opened them for two weeks
It is so freeing to get away from toxic social media sometimes. When I travel, I leave all the news outlets and social media outlets at home (I don’t check them on my phone). My mind feels so much more relaxed.
I was forced to that due to lack of service in the area and when I returned I didnt even notice I hadn’t opened them for two weeks
Yes you are right. It’s okay to stay away from social media to refocus on real life 😊
Thank you for reading!
I do social media detox from time to time specially if there is an upcoming exam or if I want to finish a book. In order for me to focus on other stuff I do that. It is actually a good idea to reconnect with the world.
I do social media detox from time to time specially if there is an upcoming exam or if I want to finish a book. In order for me to focus on other stuff I do that. It is actually a good idea to reconnect with the world.
Excellent article. It is so important to learn how to take a step back from our devices and spend time with our loved ones.
Thank you
Well, I have my rules for social media. I have all my notifications on my phone turned off, for Facebook and also for email. I just check both every once in a while, this way I never get interrupted…
Well, I have my rules for social media. I have all my notifications on my phone turned off, for Facebook and also for email. I just check both every once in a while, this way I never get interrupted…
Now, I need to implement that
I detox from social media every few months. It really frees up a lot of my time and let’s me focus on what’s going on around me.
Same here!
I detox from social media every few months. It really frees up a lot of my time and let’s me focus on what’s going on around me.
Same here!
I like your post Jessica, I’ve also recently written a post on a similar topic- how to relax as a blogger. Check it out on my site http://www.carinacyril.co.uk.
You are right, we can be totally consumed by social media that we forget to live life. Life happens when we are busy on social media… I stopped going through Facebook feeds 2 years ago and it’s been great. Only use Facebook for my business and groups. Love it!
Ha
I like your post Jessica, I’ve also recently written a post on a similar topic- how to relax as a blogger. Check it out on my site http://www.carinacyril.co.uk.
You are right, we can be totally consumed by social media that we forget to live life. Life happens when we are busy on social media… I stopped going through Facebook feeds 2 years ago and it’s been great. Only use Facebook for my business and groups. Love it!
Ha
Great tips to get off social media. I found if I don’t pay attention to what I am doing I can waste so much time on Facebook. I think that one would be my first detox if I decided to take a break.
I totally agree with you, we should do detox from social media from time to time, it’s healthy for our social life and give us more free time to do useful things.
I totally agree with you, we should do detox from social media from time to time, it’s healthy for our social life and give us more free time to do useful things.
It’s a little tricky to do this as a blogger because I want to market my posts and I have family that are spread about the world, so it helps me stay up to date with them all. But I have a rule for myself, not to use any electronics when I’m with people because I would rather give them my attention.
detox and balance is very important! Nice post ; )
That is a good point. But through uses that you have, social media can be a healthy addition into your life.
It’s a little tricky to do this as a blogger because I want to market my posts and I have family that are spread about the world, so it helps me stay up to date with them all. But I have a rule for myself, not to use any electronics when I’m with people because I would rather give them my attention.
detox and balance is very important! Nice post ; )
That is a good point. But through uses that you have, social media can be a healthy addition into your life.
It’s always good to take a break. I don’t remember when I posted my last pic on Instagram! It’s really good feeling
Sounds like you’re in control 🤗
I have always felt more confident and happy when I have stayed away from social media for a while. I like the idea of planning out my time on social media instead of mindlessly scrolling, wasting time.
I have always felt more confident and happy when I have stayed away from social media for a while. I like the idea of planning out my time on social media instead of mindlessly scrolling, wasting time.
I do biz dev for Socialdraft and even I have to admit it is difficult to allow myself to detox from social media, I think for those of us who work in the field (community managers, ad people, digital marketers) it is so important to detox from time to time.
Yes it is even if it just 24 hours
I do biz dev for Socialdraft and even I have to admit it is difficult to allow myself to detox from social media, I think for those of us who work in the field (community managers, ad people, digital marketers) it is so important to detox from time to time.
Yes it is even if it just 24 hours
Thanks for the idea! This is very inspirational. I may have to push myself to try this during the holidays so that I can focus on my family instead of scrolling through FB to see what others are enjoying. I alos like your idea of deleting the app. This helps avoid the temptation and it so easy to redownload when ready to return.
Thanks for the idea! This is very inspirational. I may have to push myself to try this during the holidays so that I can focus on my family instead of scrolling through FB to see what others are enjoying. I alos like your idea of deleting the app. This helps avoid the temptation and it so easy to redownload when ready to return.
My phone has started tracking and telling me my average screen time every week which has been eye-opening! Each week I’ve been working to “Lessen” the amount of time I’m on my phone. 95% of the time I’m using social media, so it’s been a great way to dial back.
My phone has started tracking and telling me my average screen time every week which has been eye-opening! Each week I’ve been working to “Lessen” the amount of time I’m on my phone. 95% of the time I’m using social media, so it’s been a great way to dial back.
I so need to do this!!
I so need to do this!!
I work in social media… but I wonder if I could have blocked time on sites and then be off for the rest of the day… hmmm
Haha that sounds challenging
I work in social media… but I wonder if I could have blocked time on sites and then be off for the rest of the day… hmmm
Detoxing from social media is so important and when I do, I always feel more refreshed!
Melanie || http://www.melaniewithanie.com x
Detoxing from social media is so important and when I do, I always feel more refreshed!
Melanie || http://www.melaniewithanie.com x
Detox from social media indeed! I’m glad I know how to handle my time on social media nowadays.
That’s awesome
Detox from social media indeed! I’m glad I know how to handle my time on social media nowadays.
This is a good idea.. I think my social media of choice to detox from would be Facebook, though I do not use the app itself, I do tend to spend a while on it.. others, not so much as to worry about..
Like yours, my DH does not have (and when he does, he does not spend too much time on) social media accounts
They are so strong lol
This is a good idea.. I think my social media of choice to detox from would be Facebook, though I do not use the app itself, I do tend to spend a while on it.. others, not so much as to worry about..
Like yours, my DH does not have (and when he does, he does not spend too much time on) social media accounts
They are so strong lol
I wouldn’t say I am addicted but I surely spend way too much time on social media. I would love to detox too.
Helps you feel like you are in control
I wouldn’t say I am addicted but I surely spend way too much time on social media. I would love to detox too.
Helps you feel like you are in control
As much as I want to, I can’t delete my social media apps. 50% of my blog readers comes from my social media accounts. To be more productive, I just limit the time I spend on sharing my blog posts. ^^
I think if you are using it productively there is no problem 😄
As much as I want to, I can’t delete my social media apps. 50% of my blog readers comes from my social media accounts. To be more productive, I just limit the time I spend on sharing my blog posts. ^^
I think if you are using it productively there is no problem 😄
I’ve done a detox period too. I was offline for almost a month! It’s really good idea doing some breaks.
That is great. I am sure you were able to have some unexpected free time
I’ve done a detox period too. I was offline for almost a month! It’s really good idea doing some breaks.
That is great. I am sure you were able to have some unexpected free time
The best detox for me is to go to the countryside. No wifi no reception no problem.
That sounds so relaxing
The best detox for me is to go to the countryside. No wifi no reception no problem.
That sounds so relaxing
It’s crazy that nowadays we need a social media detox when a few years ago social media wasn’t even really a thing!
Very true lol
It’s crazy that nowadays we need a social media detox when a few years ago social media wasn’t even really a thing!
Very true lol
Great post! I deleted Facebook too a few years ago. And now I just use it for my blog and that is it. I am still spending a lot of time on Instagram, but I really love doing it. As soon it doesn’t feel right, I just put my phone away.
Bettie
same!
What a great reminder!
I started to jump on FB now with a timer set… when the timer rings… it’s TIME to get back to doing what I was doing!
I have a fiance who doesn’t get social media at all. He has it but never uses and can’t see the appeal at all. I now use it much less because of his influence but I predominantly use it to support my blog.
I don’t think my blog would survive without social media but I also know how good a break is for our soul x
Same here. I post on my blog pages but rarely my personal ones
I was a religious fb user. It got to the point I would get depressed from seeing everyone “having a time” all the time. For some reason I just couldn’t figure out why my life wasn’t as great as theirs. Once I backed off FB I too started feeling better about myself. I think more people should take time away from it all.
Nowadays I spend most of time on social time only for promoting my website http://www.childcarestar.com, trying to limit the less important things.
It is difficult to detox from social media when my work is all centered around it, however, I have been getting better at setting aside time to log off and unplug. This ranges from an evening relaxing with my husband to a week camping out in the middle of nowhere.
I think this is a great idea. I often detox from all social media sites and sometimes even just switch my phone off. I think it is great for mental health. I also find that I too am less interested in posting my life on social media and would rather enjoy the moment then and there rather than trying to get the perfect Instagram picture!
Thanks for sharing x
This is such a good idea!
I’ve done this before with Facebook and it was AMAZING! My therapist actually suggested it, since she said sometimes when you’re feeling down, it can be harmful to only see what good things people are posting on FB. I still have the app, but I hardly check it, and honestly, I’m much happier without it. I wish I could delete the app entirely, but it’s one of those social media apps that some of my friends are only on, so I don’t want to lose that connection with them entirely. Maybe someday I’ll be able to delete. 🙂 Great post!
Emily | https://www.thatweirdgirllife.com