In today’s digital world, where social media has become indispensable, it has become common for generations to consume increasingly superficial content. That’s when we become familiar with the famous “attention economy”, where the user’s attention is treated as a commodity.
Therefore, it is common for websites, streaming services, content creators and social media platforms to engage in a fierce competition to capture your attention for as long as possible. The big issue is that this constant bombardment of stimuli can bring serious risks to mental health and impair concentration.
Don´t get me wrong, social media is very useful and fun, but it can end up harming your health more than you imagine. With the university holidays approaching, we at Her Campus Cásper Libero decided to gather tips for you to enjoy your days to the fullest without screens. Check it out!
Invest in your free time
Now, with the end-of-year holidays, university students will have plenty of free time! So, why waste it on TikTok videos or Instagram posts? Investing in new hobbies or your own personal development can be the key to taking care of your mental health.
Despite the holidays, it’s worth emphasizing that studying and improving your resume are always important. Therefore, looking for courses and new activities in your field is always very welcome (and your future self will thank you for it). There are countless free online course platforms and many places with in-person activities that will be worth your time, just look for what interests you most.
Furthermore, short courses don’t necessarily have to be something to put on your resume. Art, ceramics, or even cooking classes are also welcome. Trying out new hobbies and activities like a new instrument are also ways to pass the time and reduce stress.
Discover new places and new people
Meeting different people can also help you break free from social media addiction. Focusing on the present moment, having a personal conversation helps create sincere and real connections. There’s less room for the digital world, since immediate experience is much more engaging and enriching.
Exploring new places in or around your city is also very valuable. Enjoying your own company in a new restaurant, park or museum can be a form of self-discovery and opening yourself up to new possibilities.
It’s important to step outside your comfort zone and be open to new experiences, as they release a type of “healthy dopamine”. The factor of being “new” functions as a reward most of the time, it’s more useful and healthier in the long term than dopamine released with the use of constant social media.
Your dream and health are priorities!
In order to maintain good mental health, taking care of your physical health is essential. Cultivating healthy habits before bed, for example, helps to establish a better sleep routine. Regular sleep needs to be your priority!
The amount of time we spend exposed to artificial light and long-term online activity directly affects levels of anxiety and stress, which ultimately disrupt the circadian rhythm. In other words, the human body´s biological clock is affected and deregulated due to high exposure to blue light, which reduces the production of melatonin (the sleep hormone). So what´s the result? Insomnia and restless nights become part of your routine.
Creating habits of engaging in regular physical activity can also be a great ally, since the practice of physical exercise releases endorphins (the happiness hormone) and creates a feeling of well-being. They also help regulate cortisol (the stress hormone) which, due to excessive use of social networks, is higher than usual.
Exercise also improves concentration and relieves anxiety. In addition to helping establish a daily routine and improving self-esteem. Group classes, team sports, and running groups are also great ways to connect with yourself and others.
After receiving these tips, we hope you can make the most of your university vacation, prioritizing real life “outside of online”. Remember, take care of yourself first and have a great vacation!
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The article above was edited by Marina di Bernardo Babichak.
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