Less Screen, More Sanity: Why Taking a Break from Social Media Is the Best Gift for Your Health

 ZALFA RYVTIA NAURAH (30802300006)

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In today's digital era, where technology is developing rapidly, the use of social media has become a part of everyday life for everyone, from seeking entertainment and communication to work, and so on. It is not uncommon nowadays for us to immediately open social media when we wake up, such as checking notifications, scrolling through our timelines, and so on. Social media has its positive side if we use it wisely, such as teaching social skills, building relationships, or just having fun. However, excessive and unorganized use of social media also has negative effects, especially on mental health. The negative effects of social media can cause anxiety, depression, loneliness, and FOMO (fear of missing out). If we spend a lot of time on social media and feel sad, dissatisfied, frustrated, or lonely, it is time for us to detox or reduce our social media use and make improvements in our online world. Therefore, it is important for us to reduce our social media use to maintain our mental health.

1.      Reduce Feelings of Insecurity

Social media is a digital platform where people can share their lives. Often, when scrolling through our timelines, we see posts from other people sharing their happy moments. This may seem normal, but for some people, it can create unhealthy comparisons that make them feel insecure. After all, what others post on social media may not be as perfect as it seems. Therefore, by taking a step back from social media, we can focus more on appreciating our own lives without the pressure to always appear “perfect.”

2.      Avoiding Stress  

Limiting our use of social media can reduce stress because using social media too often can trigger a series of negative emotions that cause anxiety and even depression, or worsen the symptoms. Much of the content on social media contains bad news, sad news, comments, and unpleasant opinions that can trigger our emotions. This can make someone feel triggered by what they see on social media, causing feelings of restlessness, difficulty in focus, and even getting easily annoyed for no reason. In addition, there is the feeling of FOMO (fear of missing out). FOMO refers to the feeling or perception that other people are having fun, living a better life, or experiencing better things than us. This condition can trigger anxiety and excessive social media use due to the fear of missing out on trends. Staying away from social media allows the brain to rest, the mind and emotions to relax, and feelings of anxiety to decrease. We can now enjoy the little things around us without being distracted by the flood of information.

3.      Balancing Time in the Real Life

Social media often keeps us so busy with other people's lives that we forget to enjoy our own. When we are with family or friends, our attention is focused on the screen rather than the people in front of us. By reducing the time we spend in the virtual world, we learn to truly be present, listen sincerely, enjoy time without rushing, and experience life without needing to share it with the public. It is this kind of presence that brings inner peace and strengthens our relationships with those around us.

Some people still believe that being active on social media can actually improve our mental health by keeping us connected to family and friends. However, this is not entirely true, unless it is done wisely. Excessive exposure to information from social media, especially negative news, can increase anxiety and emotional exhaustion. According to research cited in the University of Airlangga's psychology journal, reducing social media use correlates with increased levels of happiness and psychological well-being. Mental health organizations such as the WHO (World Health Organization) also emphasize the importance of managing social media use to avoid negative impacts on mental health, including anxiety and depression.

So, staying away from social media doesn't mean we have to disappear completely. Rather, it's an act that gives us time to breathe and rest. By reducing the amount of time we spend on screens, our minds become more relaxed, our hearts calmer, and life feels more real. At certain times, pressing the “log out” button is the best way to stay sane.