Dopamine Detox — Part 2
Take a break from Social Media
“Wait, what? You want me to cut off from the world?”
“How am I supposed to receive instant and interesting updates about celebs?”
“How will I stay in touch with my friends and families?”
Sounds familiar?
The double-tick in WhatsApp says that your message is delivered to someone, who’s probably living some 2000 miles away from you. Many of us feel compelled to share details of our personal lives with strangers, even though they likely don’t care, all in hopes of receiving a “Like/Love/Support/Clap”. But how does it make us feel superior or atleast better?
The answer is once again: “Dopamine”. World’s shittiest neurotransmitter. Something responsible for all the good feelings in the world and for most of our motivations. It has multifold functions in the brain including memory, price pathways and motor collaboration. It’s unleashed by the neurons and sends signals to other jittered cells within the Central Nervous System.
In Dopamine Detox Part 1, I mentioned about quit smoking. Here, I suggest another coping mechanism, “Taking a break from Social Media”.
When asked about his role in exploiting consumer behavior, Chamath Palihapitiya, the former Vice President of User Growth at Facebook, acknowledged to a group of Stanford students that he was involved in such activities. “I feel tremendous guilt. The short-term, dopamine-driven feedback loops that we have created are destroying how society works,” he explained.
Social media platforms are designed to be addictive. Every notification, like, and comment triggers a release of dopamine in our brains, creating a reward system that keeps us coming back for more. However, this constant stimulation can have negative effects on our mental health, including anxiety, depression, and addiction.
I am not asking you to permanently cut off your ties with the world. You can call/face-time your friends and families, anytime (please do so).
“Unplugging doesn’t mean that we have to give up technology entirely. It simply means that we need to develop a healthier relationship with it, one that allows us to use it as a tool rather than as a way of avoiding the present moment.” — Nancy Colier in her book “The Power of Off”.
In today’s world, we have the ability to carry the functions of a phone, camera, and computer all in one device — our smartphones. However, this constant and pervasive presence of technology can quickly become overwhelming. This is where the trend of “unplugging” comes in.
I recently discovered something about myself during a technology fast — I am more addicted to technology than I realized. This is a common occurrence with addiction, where we often underestimate the extent of our addiction until we remove the source. To gain a true understanding of how technology controls our lives, we need to turn it off, distance ourselves from it, and feel the urge to switch it back on.
Unplugging involves either completely disconnecting from online life or taking occasional breaks from it. While this trend is not new, it has faced criticism and even has its own established day since 2009. However, completely unplugging from technology can be challenging, especially in today’s highly connected world.
Although staying connected is crucial, taking a break from the internet can provide several advantages for mental health and social well-being. These benefits can significantly impact your overall happiness and quality of life.
Here are a few benefits of a social media detox:
- Increased Productivity
Social media can be a major distraction, pulling us away from our work and responsibilities. By taking a break from social media, we can reclaim our focus and increase our productivity. We’ll have more time to devote to our goals and passions, without the constant distraction of notifications and updates.
2. Improved Mental Health
Social media can also have a negative impact on our mental health. Studies have linked social media use to increased feelings of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. By taking a break from social media, we can reduce our exposure to these triggers and improve our overall well-being.
3. Better Sleep
Social media can disrupt our sleep patterns, with the blue light from our screens suppressing our natural melatonin production. By taking a break from social media, we can improve our sleep quality and feel more rested and energized.
4. Increased Presence and Connection
When we’re constantly scrolling through social media, we’re not fully present in our lives or connecting with the people around us. By taking a break from social media, we can cultivate more meaningful relationships and connect with the world in a more authentic and meaningful way.
While it is not necessary to be productive all the time, occasionally reducing your tech use can provide some spare time in a hectic schedule.
Thanks for reading!!
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