Let’s face it, there’s a lot of bad news right now. And sometimes that urge to doomscroll, or to scroll through your social media feed while being bombarded by tweet after tweet about all of the bad things happening in the world right now, can be overpowering. While it’s good to keep up with the news, being too up to date can no doubt be negative for your mental health. Here are a few tips to help you take a healthy step away from your phone.
- Read a Book
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I find reading the best way to take a break from using your phone and reset your brain. It can be especially beneficial to find a new world to explore with the help of a book when our world is feeling a bit too bleak. I would recommend something fun and exciting like a fantasy or sci-fi so you can truly escape!
- Write a Journal Entry
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Journaling is a great way to process your feelings. It can be very cathartic to jot down a few thoughts at the end of each day when you’re feeling overwhelmed, and sometimes putting your feelings on paper can help you to destress and relax.
- Cook or Bake Something
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A great place to go after stepping away from your phone is to the kitchen! Cooking a meal or baking some cookies won’t take a lot of time out of your day, but it will do wonders towards helping you unwind after a stressful news cycle. Nothing makes me feel better than a batch of warm cookies!
- Do a Puzzle
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I’ve been doing a ridiculous amount of puzzles during quarantine, and it’s a great thing to do instead of doomscrolling because it really forces you to take a step away from your technology. You have to put all of your focus into something fun and engaging, and I find sometimes I start a puzzle and look up and it’s been 3 hours. Definitely a perfect distraction!
- Go for a Walk (Safely!)
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Taking a walk or getting some exercise is another good way to destress, as I’m sure you already know. Doing something like this is also a good distraction from your social media and the endorphins can help you feel better and keep your mind off of everything stressful going on in the world.
Hopefully, these tips have helped you learn how to detach from your social media. The past few weeks, and even the past few months, have been undoubtedly difficult, and it’s important to prioritize our mental health and wellbeing.