Social media is amazing because it enables us to connect with people all over the world, watch films with the press of a button, and travel the globe even without leaving the comfort of our homes.
That being said, social media distraction has its negative side. The typical user scrolls through updates, vacation images, and other stuff for over 2.5 hours every day. Social media distraction may damage your work productivity, interfere with your personal life, and rob you of time you could use for hobbies or self-improvement. But you don’t have to completely cut social media out of your life; you need to control it. Everything in life should be done in moderation.
Read more: Four powerful tactics to overcome distractions (Focus)
Contents
How to Avoid Social Media Distraction
The following are steps on how to avoid social media distraction:
- Set an achievable Goal
- Pick up on Patterns
- Change your device Notification Settings
- Start a Morning Routine
- Limit the use of your Apps
- Make use of a Web Blocker
- Establish No-Tech Zones
- Implement a Rewards Program
- Make use of Timeboxing techniques
- Pick up a Hobby
- try a social media fast
- Post Less Frequently
- Let’s dive in!
Set an achievable Goal
Why do you want to avoid being distracted by social media? Your course of action will be influenced by how you respond to this question. Perhaps you should cut back on your late-night social media browsing. Maybe you need to stop browsing social media at work, or maybe a certain platform is making you feel bad. Once you’ve chosen a goal, put it in writing where you can see it. If using your work computer to check social media is a problem, post a sticky note there. Place the letter next to your favorite chair if the issue is used right before bed. Anywhere you experience problems, make sure it is visible.
Pick up on Patterns
Social media distraction typically begins with a particular cue. What feelings encourage you to use your preferred platform? When do these usually happen? You’ll probably discover a pattern of conduct that you can improve. By recognizing this trend, you can focus your efforts. It might be daunting to try to make changes to your entire routine at once, so focus on your problem areas first.
Read more: Easy tactics on how to handle a lot of tasks
Change your device Notification Settings
The chance that you will check your device when a notice appears is high. You’ll experience greater distractions the more notifications you receive. You may modify your notification settings, which is wonderful news. You can decide whether to receive notifications sometimes or not at all. And you can always put alerts back on later if you need to know when your BFF publishes vacation photographs.
Additionally, you have the option to relocate your device during the day. For example, if you leave it face down at work, the screen won’t light up and divert your focus from the task at hand. Please feel free to turn on the Do Not Disturb feature on your device.
Start a Morning Routine
Do you check your smartphone first thing in the morning? Even if you might need to read certain emails, starting your day by opening them on social media would be unhelpful. As much as you can in the morning, avoid using your gadget. Breaking this guideline only applies to urgent situations or scheduled occasions, such as confirming the timing of a morning dental appointment. The remainder of the morning can be spent working out, making a healthy breakfast, or participating in another energizing screen-free activity. Use a genuine alarm clock instead of the one on your phone to make things easier. When your gadget wakes you up every morning, it’s much simpler to get sucked into utilizing more time-wasting apps.
Read more: Common ways to boost your efficiency at work
Limit the use of your Apps
You may keep an eye on your app usage on your smartphone or tablet to determine how much time you spend on social media. Use this as a guideline to see where you can get better. To ensure that you never go over your daily allowance, some gadgets even let you set time limitations.
A different strategy is to remove all social networking apps from your device. Every time you want to check your social media profiles, make the effort to fire up the computer. Avoiding social media distraction becomes possible when you don’t have notifications burning a hole in your pocket. Placing your apps in a hidden folder on your device might keep them out of sight and out of mind if you’re not ready to commit fully. It will be more challenging to avoid getting hooked on social media if you use your phone for something else.
Make use of a Web Blocker
Some days, the opportunities offered by the Internet can be too tempting. It’s so simple to go from work to social media in the same browser, and getting back on task might take almost 30 minutes. Why not prevent yourself from using social media altogether?
On your device, web blockers prevent you from visiting particular websites. During working hours, you can switch on this function to prevent you from using social media as a distraction. If you need it, this last line of defense is effective. Join the free Fast-Track Class on Overcoming Distractions to learn more about how to maintain focus. You will learn how to deal with distractions and improve your focus in this focused session. Sign up now for the free class!
Establish No-Tech Zones
You can specify which parts of your house or office are appropriate for using technology. You’ll be less likely to become distracted by social media if you keep your devices away from the areas you need to concentrate on. A few locations where a smartphone could end up being too distracting are the bedroom, bathroom, dining table, and home office. You can reduce the amount of time you spend scrolling by restricting yourself to using your gadgets solely in other spaces.
Read more: Common ways that can help you with time management and getting good results
Implement a Rewards Program
It’s time to make social media time something you have to work for if you find yourself using it constantly. Giving yourself a list of things to do before engaging in less productive activity is a basic motivational strategy. These could be duties for the workplace, household chores, or more constructive pursuits like going outside or honing your skills. Whenever you finish an activity, treat yourself to some social media time. For instance, cleaning your room can entitle you to a five-minute respite from social media. Don’t allow yourself to log onto any platforms until your assignment is over; otherwise, the entire exercise will be for naught.
Make use of Timeboxing technique
Timeboxing is a time management technique in which you set aside blocks of time for specific tasks. You may set aside the first hour of work, for instance, to respond to emails. Close your email as soon as that hour is up, then move on to the next block. You can set apart specific times when you can and cannot use social media by employing this technique. You can train yourself to only engage in social media distraction, when necessary, by sticking to your time boxes. There will be a different distraction-free activity in another block.
Pick up a Hobby
You won’t feel the need to use social media as frequently if you can find something valuable to occupy your time. The first half of the battle is won by having a hobby that keeps your attention focused on what you’re doing. Hobbies can range in complexity from reading a book to woodworking, which is basic. Whatever you enjoy doing, fill your time with worthwhile pursuits you may use in place of social media.
Read more: Common ways of being mindful at work for better concentration
Sometimes, significant issues necessitate extremely severe responses. Try a social media detox for an entire week if you truly need to reset your brain to stop being distracted by social media. Even though it may be challenging, it will make it clear that you don’t need social media to lead a fulfilling existence. When the week is over, what should you do? Keep in mind how you felt before you were always looking through Facebook and Twitter updates. Plan a monthly or yearly fast to serve as a reminder if you are concerned that you will forget. Here is an illustration of what you ought to do: Challenge yourself to a 24-hour digital fast.
Post Less Frequently
Social media is frequently used by people to share their lives and accomplishments. This is a wonderful method to involve loved ones in your life, no matter where they may be, but there is also a potential that distractions will intrude. Start by restricting your posting to just one per day, per platform. By doing so, you may maintain contact without giving yourself as many chances to become sidetracked.
Read more: Common Ways to Avoid Distraction and Stay Focused on a Task
