Media detox is not just a trend – it’s a necessity!

It world is overwhelming and seems too much; serious-sounding news on a daily basis, feeling down about ourselves after doom scrolling and linking the likes we get to our self-value. The irony of coming across about weight loss talk that points out that we need to lower our cortisol (stress hormone) to get results. The FOMO is strong but do we actually miss anything by taking some time off from the spiral? I want to share things that actually have helped me with starting to get my shit together!

Social media detox

I’ve noticed so-called Generation Z and Millenials leaning towards social media detox topic lately. I don’t think it’s just a trendy thing to do – it’s a necessity. Social media is “free” to use because users are the product. Instagram defaulting accounts to opt-in usage of their data for AI training was a dick move. And I’m not even getting started with privacy concerns.

Social media might try to regulate filter use but people are still doeing it. Back in the day when there was no filters people learned to use Photoshop or something similar. The filtered faces sometimes seem like a completely different person and the face angle changes like AI would’ve just morphed the original image with another one from their database.

It sucks if the people think only face-value. We need to get back for valuing experience, abilities and personality. There should be room for everybody – not just the filtered, hollow mask on social media. Children should not be worried about wrinkles at the tender age of 10. But they will look up to adults and I think we need to set up an example about appreciating other things in life.

The news anxiousness

If you feel like you have to catch up with the news regularly go back on articles on the news media you’ve followed. I’m sure you’ll find repetitive patterns of serious-sounding headlines and doomsday scenarios that didn’t happen or predictions that didn’t land. So all of the news should be taken with a grain of salt.

When something is actually urgent you hear about it. But think of it – would you be happier to know about a terrible thing happening in the future? Would you be able to enjoy the peaceful time you have left before something bad happens? I don’t think I could. And the news seemed to have integrated quite a lot with social media culture so I’d encourage people to read studies and books instead. Old people are probably the most transparent case of how just consuming news too much can affect to you mood. I don’t think people are immune to that information stream they tap into even though they seem calm. They just mask it better.

4 Things that have helped me

I’ve been organising my thoughts a lot recently. I’ve wanted to be more present for a long time. As a recovering people-pleaser I think I’m starting to be on a better track with life. I want to go through the things that I actually found helpful for my mental health.

1. Mindset shift of putting health first – mental and physical
I have more than a decade in the workforce left. I’m trying to set up stricter boundaries. No more bending over backwards at work compromising my time-off, no more excessive self-sacrifice so that people would have better impression of me. Everyone needs time without performing for their mental health.

2. Limiting my time on social media and reading news
Once a week is enough. I can check the weather forecast occasionally without going on news websites. Reading books and watching series is easier since I feel like I’m able to separate myself from the stories and have my own thinking as a viewer/reader. They offer new ideas and angles to life but don’t trip me into a loophole in a same way like the news do.

3. Walking outside
It’s so fucking basic advice to go outside and touch some grass but it really works! The world is bigger than your living room and taking a walk is a good reminder. If you don’t feel like running that’s OK – sunlight helps to fight depression and improves mood.

4. Making things with hands
Painting, house chores, fixing things that are broken.. The list is endless. Sometimes seeing what you have accomplished improves your mood. Even though it would feel like “why bother when I can just buy something nice” it feels more precious to have something made by hand and doeing things yourself. Internet connection doesn’t just offer access to social media – it offers tons of knowledge how to teach yourself to do all kinds of stuff. Unlocking a new skill is really rewarding. I also love the quote: “Seeing is believing”.