5 Life-Changing Benefits of a Social Media Cleanse

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It is impossible to be alive and not use social media in the current world. We scroll through the feeds, look at the best parts of people’s lives, and often feel depressed. But have you ever thought about taking a break, for example, for a month or two? I went on a social media detox in December (2024) and the effects were remarkable. I felt less anxious, less distracted by the technology and more grounded in the present moment. It was a great way to switch off from the world and just live life offline.

If you have been thinking about taking a social media detox, then here are the five amazing reasons that will make you want to give it a try.

1. Decreased Stress and Anxiety

Social media exposes one to a lot of information at one’s disposal, news, opinions and at times, the negative ones. Studies show that people who use social media a lot are more likely to be stressed and anxious than those who don’t (Twenge et al., 2018). This is because users are often expected to engage in trends, reply to messages immediately, or solve online feuds (Coyne et al., 2019). It is therefore possible to have a break from digital stressors that cause your mind to refresh and feel less anxious and more at ease.

When I stopped using social media, the levels of my stress decreased immediately. I didn’t have that constant desire to check notifications and that itself was liberating.

2. Improved Focus and Productivity

The latter are designed to keep one’s attention engaged through the use of the endless scroll. Research shows that frequent social media use decreases attention span and productivity (Duke & Montag 2017). You can improve your focus on tasks because you are not constantly checking your phone.

I also felt more present in my work, read more books, and even started doing the things I use to enjoy doing. It is amazing that you can do so much more with your mind when it is not confused by the digital noise.

3. Stronger Real-Life Connections

One of the biggest downsides of social media is that it can create an illusion of connection while actually decreasing meaningful in-person interactions. A study by Hunt et al. (2018) found that reducing social media use led to lower levels of loneliness and increased social satisfaction.

Instead of scrolling through other people’s lives, I spent more time with family and friends, engaging in real conversations and making meaningful memories. When you put your phone down, you realize how much richer life can be when you fully engage with those around you.

4. Better Sleep Quality

Blue light from screens interferes with melatonin production, the hormone responsible for sleep regulation (Chang et al., 2015). Moreover, late-night scrolling can overstimulate the brain, making it harder to wind down.

During my social media cleanse, I noticed that I was sleeping earlier and waking up more refreshed. Without mindlessly scrolling before bed, my nighttime routine became more peaceful, leading to deeper and more restorative sleep.

5. Increased Self-Esteem and Mindfulness

Social media is filled with highlight reels, often leading to unrealistic comparisons and feelings of inadequacy. A meta-analysis by Appel et al. (2016) found that social media use can negatively impact self-esteem, as people often compare their real lives to carefully curated online personas.

Taking a break allowed me to focus on myself without external comparisons. I became more mindful of my own journey and started appreciating the little moments—whether it was enjoying a quiet morning coffee or soaking in the beauty of a sunset.

Ready to Take a Social Media Detox?

I hope this article has helped you decide whether you need a break from social media. Start small – disable your social media accounts for a weekend or only use them for certain time frames. You will be amazed by how much more alert and calm you will feel. If you are in search of ways to improve your offline time, then this mindfulness journal will be a perfect tool to help you to define your goals and enjoy your media social break to the maximum. Are you prepared to uninstall and harvest your time? Give social media cleanse a go and find out for yourself!

Can you picture yourself giving social media cleanse a go? I would love to read your comments!

References

Appel, H., Gerlach, A. L., & Crusius, J. (2016). The interplay between social comparison, self-esteem, and Facebook use: A meta-analysis. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 35(8), 603-633.

Chang, A. M., Aeschbach, D., Duffy, J. F., & Czeisler, C. A. (2015). Evening use of light-emitting eReaders negatively affects sleep, circadian timing, and next-morning alertness. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(4), 1232-1237.

Duke, É., & Montag, C. (2017). Smartphone addiction and beyond: Initial insights on an emerging research topic and its relationship to Internet addiction. Behavioural Sciences, 7(12), 1-17.

Hunt, M. G., Marx, R., Lipson, C., & Young, J. (2018). No more FOMO: Limiting social media decreases loneliness and depression. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 37(10), 751-768.

Twenge, J. M., Joiner, T. E., Rogers, M. L., & Martin, G. N. (2018). Increases in depressive symptoms, suicide-related outcomes, and suicide rates among US adolescents after 2010 and links to increased social media use. Clinical Psychological Science, 6(1), 3-17.