It is almost habitual to pull out your phone whenever you are sitting at a bus stop, waiting for your professors to start class, or whenever you find yourself trying to kill some time. However, as enticing as social media is, it still has some definitive pros and cons. Here, we will focus less on eliminating social media as a leisurely activity, and moreso on how to moderate social media in order to become more productive. Here are a few ways you can limit your social media usage without cutting it out of your life completely.
1. Utilizing apps and plug-ins such as StayFocusd
When you are studying and/or need to concentrate on a specific task, sometimes throwing your phone to the other side of the room isn’t the best method to a distraction-free environment. Many times, our work requires us to be on a computer or web-based program, which leaves plenty of room for the temptation of web-surfing to arise.
StayFocusd is a free plug-in available on Google Chrome that you can use to block or limit your time on sites that would otherwise be distractions. If you’ve been on a blocked site for some time, a new web page will appear on your screen that reads, “Shouldn’t you be working?” It’s definitely some tough love, but it works!
2. Logging out of or deleting apps
It may seem like a last resort, but logging out of your apps will allow you to have less incentive to check your Instagram in between class readings. Yes, all it takes is a few letters and numbers to log back into your account, however, you’ll inevitably remember why you logged out in the first place
If it comes down to it, deleting an app altogether may help as well. There will be no temptation to check a social media application if it no longer exists on your phone!
3. Embracing the beauty of airplane mode
Setting your phone on airplane mode is one of the best strategies to ignore incoming calls and texts (especially those persistent group texts) without having to turn off your phone. With this feature, you’re able to briefly take your mind off these incoming messages and come back to them at a time that is more convenient for you.
4. Deactivation (oh yes, we went there.)
Similar to logging out of or deleting apps, deactivating your Facebook (or any other social media account that has this feature) gives you a social media hiatus that isn’t completely permanent. If you have midterms back to back in a particular week or have an important research paper to get started on, setting aside one or more of your social media accounts for the time being would help out greatly. You can use your reactivation as a reward for working so hard!
5. Replacing social media with another task
The time you would normally allocate to updating Facebook or Twitter could be saved for alternative activities, such as writing in a journal. There are very therapeutic benefits to journaling, and, generally, we have a tendency focus on what others are up to when we are on social media sites. By writing in a journal, you’re participating in a task you’d normally be doing on a social media site. You’re able to talk about your day and your emotions, for example, in a new form that is self-reflective and refreshing.
If you’re studying at home, on campus or around downtown, take a walk outside or plan to get a cup of coffee with one of your friends. If you find yourself constantly scrolling through Facebook and Instagram first thing on the morning, whether its on the bus or in the classroom, bring an interesting book that you can read during these times.
Allowing more time for self-reflection and other meaningful leisurely activities is sure to make you feel more balanced and productive in your daily life.