by Ayanna
It’s the most wonderful time of the year and a perfect time to be intentional about holiday presence.
I am intrigued by social media and digital technology, so much so that my current research focuses on how social media can be used to support and sustain health behaviors. The internet connects us to people and information in unprecedented ways. With no signs of slowing down soon (it is predicted that by 2020, 2.9 billion people around the world will have social media accounts), social media and other digital platforms continue to be a large part of our day to day interactions. From engaging in social network sites and blogging, to online shopping and communicating through emails, it appears that the world of hyperconnection is here to stay.
Photos by Chanel G. Photography
However, the more time we spend engaged in the digital world, the less time we are actually present and mindfully engaged in the real world. This holiday season I look forward to being present during these special moments with my loved ones. With the myriad of benefits that social media affords, excessive use of social media has also been linked to negative outcomes, like stifling creativity, social comparison, and even social media addiction. What do we gain from a self worth constructed by a social status that is measured by the number of likes and shares? More importantly, what do we lose?
I admittedly could use a break in digital consumption and here are a few things I plan implement over the next few weeks as a way to disconnect from the digital world and encourage mindfulness:
- Disengaging in all social media activity after 8pm daily (Have you ever found yourself scrolling through social media on a restless night?).
- Avoiding checking social media within the first hour of waking up (Am I the only one who scrolls though their social media feed as part of their morning routine? I enjoy prayer and meditation in the morning and I look forward to filling my morning with more time engaging in these activities without digital distractions.)
- Limiting the number of times I check social media pages per day AND the overall amount of time spent on social media each day.
- Avoiding the use of my phone during holiday events with family and friends.
- Implementing a digital free day.
Have you ever purposefully abstained from social media and other forms of digital technology? Share your tips below!
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