Originally published on social-matic.com

It is close to impossible for many people today to imagine life without social media. The online networking platform and its various versions and capabilities have enhanced drastically since being introduced to the world about twenty years ago. Now, social media is connecting so many in ways those twenty years ago would not have foreseen possible. 

Bryn Carden, a Texas Christian University (TCU) student and an entrepreneur, utilizes social media for personal and professional reasons. She is a part of the many entrepreneurs who use social media’s free marketing opportunity to grow a business. However, the dark side of social media has its adverse effect on mental health and productivity. Social media can ultimately fuel users to have a stronger connection with the online world, taking away from their connection to reality. To help stop the struggle of excessive social media use, Carden shares these tips:

Say No to Social Media FOMO

Do you ever find yourself obsessively opening your phone, tapping your Instagram app, and swiping down to load any new posts on your feed, check messages, or update notifications? If so, you might be a victim of social media FOMO or fear of missing out. It is better to accept the reality that no matter how often you surf on social media, you will always be missing out on something.

Change Your Distractions

What do humans do when they get bored? They distract themselves with something to occupy their time. Imagine that you are bored, waiting, or standing in line. What is the first thing you see yourself doing in such a scenario? These days, people are more likely to pull out a phone and log onto social media when looking for a distraction. A way to wean yourself off this habit is to turn off any interrupting notifications and find a different distraction like reading, writing, or drawing. 

Start with Small Restrictions

Going cold turkey or entirely quitting a bad habit on the spot is not always a reliable long-term choice. Start with baby steps when learning how to disconnect more from social media. When you wake up in the morning, do not pick up your phone and check anything until after you have been awake for one hour. Around bedtime, put your phone down for the night at least an hour before you go to sleep. 

“To avoid any tempting social media checks, I like to remember the phrase ‘out of sight, out of mind,’ and put my phone away in a drawer where I can not see it,” says Bryn Carden.

During the first hour of your morning, distract yourself from social media cheats by planning your schedule for the day, working out, making breakfast, meditating, or taking a walk. For the hour before hitting the sack, do what helps your body prepare to rest. You can stretch, make decaf tea, read, plan your day for tomorrow, and do some self-care activities.

About Bryn Carden 

Bryn Carden is a versatile young entrepreneur with a deep sense of compassion and the desire to help make the world a better place. In 2017, she founded Styles for Smiles – a company selling bracelets to support the Smile Train Organization. The proceeds from selling Bryn’s designs have already helped fund cleft palate repairs