Please take a break from the internet this year

Let’s be honest, 2023 is not a good year for social media. How about this: As we sink further into the clutches of late-stage capitalism, our online safe havens appear to be getting worse, trying to make billionaires more money. Apps like TikTok, Instagram, and ?What’s the difference? )

Now that 2024 is here (so fast, I swear it was November last week), a new year means new resolutions for many. For me, one of those resolutions was to give up social media. Now, I’m not going to try to convince you to quit social media entirely – because research shows that despite the damage it’s known to do to our brains, we still enjoy using it – but if you do want to quit and don’t know how I’ve Ready for you.

Delete social media apps or limit notifications

The first and most obvious step in starting a digital detox in 2024 is to delete apps. This advice may sound simple, but it’s not. Social media has increasingly become a major source of information in our lives, so quitting it completely can be difficult. Plus, like all addictions, you may end up replacing one vice with another equally unhealthy one.

This major step can significantly improve your mental health and sleep quality while increasing your productivity at work. It also encourages more meaningful real-life interactions and a greater focus on personal goals, thereby improving overall well-being.

There are some less extreme Of course, there are ways to quit social media. Experts recommend putting obstacles in your path to limit the amount of attention social media has in your daily life. This includes things like muting notifications for social media apps or bundling notifications for apps so that they are only sent once or twice a day. As Mashable’s Rebecca Ruiz points out, it also helps create awareness of how you use your phone.

Try application blockers or restrictions

One of the biggest obstacles when trying to step away from social media is discipline. If you want to force yourself to quit smoking in 2024, try an app blocker. Built-in app restrictions or app blockers like Opal on iPhone offer a balanced approach to reducing social media use. They help gradually reduce dependence by setting controlled access times, thereby increasing focus and reducing distractions. This approach can be beneficial for those looking for a less abrupt transition than quitting smoking suddenly, allowing for better time management and healthier digital habits.

Additionally, apps like Forest offer a unique and engaging way to limit social media use, encourage users to stay on task as a virtual tree grows, interweave productivity with environmental awareness, and enable the process of digital detox More meaningful and visually satisfying. This is useful if you like social media apps and don’t want to delete them but still want to limit your usage.

If you don’t want to use another app to limit your social media use, or you know it’s going to be a difficult process for you, try tapping into the support of family and friends. Your loved ones can help fill the social void left by your digital detox and instead provide real-world interactions and activities. This emotional buffer may help reduce feelings of isolation or anxiety that may arise from being disconnected online.