Asking people to stop using social media for just one week could lead to significant improvements in their wellbeing, depression and anxiety and could, in the future, be recommended as a way to help people manage their mental health say the authors of a new study.
The study, carried out by a team of researchers at the University of Bath (UK), studied the mental health effects of a week-long social media break. For some participants in the study, this meant freeing-up around nine hours of their week which would otherwise have been spent scrolling Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok.
Their results – published, Friday 6 May 2022, in the US journal ‘Cyberpsychology, Behaviour and Social Networking’ – suggest that just one week off social media improved individuals’ overall level of well-being, as well as reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Wellness Secrets of a SuperAger 
Very sensible advice, me thinks. But much harder to put into practice, especially for those that are welded to a cell phone!
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LOL In my case, it is my desktop computer. That’s a real dinosaur. Have a great weekend, Paul!
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But so much preferred by us old farts!
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I’ve taken social media breaks when going on holiday and I’ve come back feeling wonderful!
I recently took a break from social media and did feel better in myself that I’ve rapidly reduced usage – the hardest challenge is not having a phone to play with as it becomes a habit you get used to carrying everywhere!
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