I sat on the couch mindlessly scrolling through my phone while my active toddler rolled and wiggled across my body, whining incessantly. I wanted to check out from the chaos and overstimulation of a hectic household, but my persistent little guy kept vying for my attention. Eventually, I set my phone aside, embraced his squirmy little body in a firm hug, and looked at his face. He smiled as we made eye contact. In that moment, I knew I had to make changes in my relationship—with technology. And that started with taking a break from social media.
Once I evaluated how my excessive scrolling affected not only myself but also my family, I knew I also had to ditch my device. If you’re struggling with the same, consider these 5 reasons you should take a break from your phone, too.
1. You have more important things to focus on.
When I disconnected from the device, I had more time to connect with the people who love and need me the most. I paid more attention to my kids’ differences and could better identify their unique gifts. I noticed how gracefully my five-year-old daughter dances and recognized the distinguishing characteristics of my three-year-old twin boys. While one little guy loves to build and create, the other enjoys drawing and exploring his artistic abilities. Taking a break from social media alone, I decreased my phone usage by three hours a day minimum. I gained over 20 hours a week back into my life to observe and learn more about my children!
2. Your relationships will improve.
It’s hard not to snap at the kids when they interrupt an online conversation or today’s Wordle. When I minimized my phone usage, I naturally felt less irritable toward my family. I began engaging with them more and learning more about their interests. I also built deeper connections with friends because I no longer let social media shallowly fulfill my need for connection. I reached out in person and connected with my actual voice or face-to-face.
3. You’ll eliminate a source of stress in your life.
Too often, I would log into social media and get frustrated with my life. I felt bothered that I didn’t have the same exciting endeavors I watched others have. My friends with older children got to explore caves and go on adventurous vacations while I was stuck home wiping toddler snot off my couches. Watching others live their lives created a spirit of discontent in me. When I reduced my screen time, I reduced the risk of feeling triggered by other people, news, or gossip. I started appreciating my life more and felt less anxious about what I couldn’t do or didn’t have.
4. You’ll gain a sense of confidence.
When I decided to take a break from my phone, I removed the impulse to check notifications. The pressure to live up to Pinterest-worthy posts subsided as well. I felt more confident because I knew that my phone no longer had a hold on me. I proved to myself that I was in control of my phone and not the other way around. With my newfound time, I could focus on cultivating my own blessings, gifts, and talents. I gained the confidence to take on new ventures. I started a local homeschool group, started volunteering more, and found new hobbies, without questioning my capabilities.
5. Your mental health will improve.
Excessive phone usage can cause anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. When I exited the digital world, I could filter out the toxic patterns my phone enabled. Instead of letting myself get depressed from watching others live the fun life I longed to have, I eliminated the root of my negative thinking. I replaced my phone time with family time and did other things I enjoy. This boosted my happy hormones, like dopamine—which is the reward chemical that increases when we accomplish something—and oxytocin, the love hormone. We can take action to improve our mental health by replacing our negative phone habits with more positive life experiences.
Whether it’s a text message or social media notification, each little “ding” can distract us from what truly matters most to us. iMom’s Cell Phone Rules for Mom printable offers some great tips for silencing notifications and managing your own screen time. There is no better time than now to increase productivity and positivity in your life.
What do you think you stand to gain by taking a break from social media and your phone?
This article was written by Grace Witchey.
