Attention Span Under Attack: Proven Ways to Defend Yourself from Social Media

With the growing age of technology, many people now have access to numerous forms of convenient apps, devices, and media to better navigate our lives, careers, and relationships. The number of people alone who use social media globally surpasses over 4.76 billion, as cited by Ani Petrosyan on the worldwide digital population of 2023. But with these extensive pros for a new era of technological advancements and information, there are many cons as well. A 2019 study by the NICM Health Research Institute found that the internet can alter different areas of cognition, including our ability to recall parts of our memory, and in 2020 the US National Institute of Child Health and Human Development has found that extensive screen time before bed in children had a great increase in impulsivity control. Our increasing involvement with social media can both greatly enhance our lives, but without supervision, can greatly affect our offline lives. That’s why we’ve prepared three proven ways to greatly reduce the negative traits and shortened attention span gained from strenuous Social Media use

The 3 Tips

Set Limits:

Setting certain limits on what you watch, and how long your online, is a great way to achieve balance between ur offline life and your online one. A great way to set these limits is by creating a schedule where you can check your social media. Avoid logging in at random times of the day, as doing so can increase excessive use. Another way is to limit the amount of social media apps for u to log in on, that way it hinders you from breaking your designated schedule. Using social media blocking apps can also help limit your access to social media during certain parts of the day

Practice Mindfulness:

Practicing mindfulness can help you regain your attention span, increase your focus, and greatly reduce the need for distractions, a good way to utilize this tip is by setting a goal/intention, ask yourself for what reason are you on social media and what do you expect to gain from using it. This can help u focus more on the task at hand as to not get further absorbed into the vast random world of social media

Another form of practicing mindfulness is to avoid multitasking while using social media. Instead, focus on one task at a time, such as responding to messages or scrolling through your newsfeed, having a certain task in mind while using your scheduled time can exponentially reduce ur involvement with social media

Taking Breaks

Taking breaks from social media can provide many benefits for your mental health and well-being, including reducing stress and anxiety, boosting your work productivity, and enhancing your social connections. A good way to take breaks is by developing other activities and allocating them at times that you would use social media. Make sure to set boundaries for yourself to give a firm focus while on your social media. By taking breaks from social media, you can reduce stress and improve your overall well-being. Experiment with different strategies to find what works best for you and your lifestyle.

In conclusion, social media has become an integral and vital part of our daily lives, but it can also negatively impact our attention span and severe our real life. By setting limits, practicing mindfulness, and taking breaks, we can improve our attention span and reduce the negative impact of social media. Setting specific times for social media use, practicing deep breathing, and engaging in other activities that promote relaxation and self-care can all help us stay mindful and focused. Additionally, unplugging from social media for a day or weekend and engaging in other activities that promote creativity and social connections can help us stay refreshed and energized. Ultimately, by being intentional and proactive about our social media use, we can improve our attention span and reclaim our focus and productivity.