Don’t you think it’s about time for another Social Media Cleanse? With everything you’re seeing on your feed or reading on your timeline, don’t you agree that social media is just super toxic for your mental health right now? Imagine being here in the Philippines during this pandemic. It seems like for a long time for weeks and weeks, you’ll always learn something from the news that will just drive you crazy with anxiety, frustration, anger, and for me, hopelessness.
No, we can’t avoid being in social media right now because we have nothing much to do while we’re stuck in our homes for the time being. Social media is a big part of our lives now and it keeps us connected to our friends and the world. If we can’t delete it, maybe there a way to limit our daily usage? Maybe that will help ease the mental burden?
And guess what? I discovered an app just for that in my phone. This week, I’m sharing with you guys my Social Media Cleansing experience using the Screen Time app of Apple iOs. For Android Users, you can check out my blog on Social Media Cleanse: 7 Ways to Disconnect for creative ways to get out of social for a while.
Try Screen Time for iOS to Limit your Social Media Usage this Pandemic
For Apple Users, the Screen Time app is already downloaded on your phone. You might recognize it as the one tracking the number of hours per day you’re using certain apps. But, did you know that you can actually customize its settings to limit your social media usage or control how much time you spend on you social media apps?
Open up your iOs device and follow through these simple steps to set it up:
- Open “Screen Time” in your Setting App
2. Set a passcode
3. Go to “App Limits”
4. Tap on “Add Limit”
5. Choose “Social Networking”
6. Pick the social media apps for your Social Media Cleanse. Click “Next” afterwards
7. Set the limit or time of how long you want to limit on your social media usage everyday. You can also click on “Customize Day” if you want different time limits for certain days of the week.
8. Choose specific days and set your preferred time limits for each. Just click “Back” when you’re done.
9. Last set would be to click “Add” to save your new App Limit or Social Media Cleanse
Once you’ve used up your social media time for the day, you’ll receive this message and then your apps will be blocked. You won’t be able to use them for the rest of the day.
Don’t worry though because they will give you a warning when you have only 5 minutes left. You can also extend by one more minute after the limit, but that’s it. The only way to use your apps again is to reconfigure your settings.
My Social Media Cleanse Experience with Screen Time
Personally, I’m only doing a Social Media Cleanse for Twitter and Instagram because that’s where I find it most toxic. I don’t do it for Facebook though because as a blogger, that’s where I do most of my engagement work. Although, I am doing this for the Facebook Messenger app because I know for a fact that he’s not going to reply anyway so I might as well not be tempted to send messages, right?
I only use social media for 30 minutes on weekdays and then, 1 hour and 30 minutes on weekends. It might be too little of a time, but I’m trying to really discipline myself and save up my social media time because it has become somewhat valuable. But of course, you guys can choose the apps and set the time limits you prefer depending on your personal needs.
It’s actually so weird everyday when my social media time is up, I’m forced to be more present with what I’m doing or choose other things to keep me occupied like watching movies or reading books. It does get easier every day. I feel like I not only have to time dedicated to be productive, but to relax and unwind as well.
Give Social Media Cleansing a try!
So if your mental health is already suffering because of too much time on social media, using this app will help you set limits for yourself. Yes, this will not solve all of the problems in our world right now, but it will allow us to get in a better head space.
I honestly just wish that I could also comfortably spend time outside with my friends to help me get through my Social Media Cleanse, but this seems to be working for now anyways.
Honestly, it’s hard to be okay right now and I’m tired of trying so hard to be. I keep hoping that things will get better, but they just seem to be getting worse and worse. Hopefully this Social Media Cleanse and also keeping myself productive during this chaotic time will help. Everyone copes with this pandemic differently, I guess. Just take care of yourselves okay, guys?
Disclaimer: The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your condition.
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