How many social media accounts do you have? Most of us would agree we have a few too many. Nowadays, it’s almost impossible to be social and nurture relationships with others without using social media.

As it turns out, our social behavior and technological age are greatly influenced by the social media platforms we use.

For instance, while Gen Zers spend most of their time on TikTok and Instagram, millennials—who grew up alongside social media—use at least five or six different platforms. 

If you feel like you could use a digital detox, consider these suggestions to use your free time better and start making positive changes in your daily routine. 

Activities To Try While On A Digital Detox

1. Reading

Books are like that bag of mixed vegetables kept in the freezer—we like to have them as an option, we know they’re good for us, but we’ll always reach for a tastier option if we can. Breaking habits are extremely difficult.

Therefore, start small if you want to stop wasting time on social media and become a reader. Set an achievable goal, and don’t get overwhelmed by the length of a book. If you’re just starting with reading, never rely on other people’s recommendations and dive into something that you find truly interesting.

It can be poetry, comics, or anything else you like. Set a goal to read for just 10 minutes a day. Once you’ve gotten yourself into the habit of reading, continuing to read for longer will come naturally. 

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2. Learning How To Cook

You don’t have to be Gordon Ramsay to prepare a delicious meal. People often steer clear of cooking because they’re afraid they may fail. Remember that cooking is complicated only if you make it that way.

Start with dishes that don’t require advanced cooking skills, exotic ingredients, and expensive equipment, preferably something you’ve already tried and know you like.

Find the recipe online, and don’t be afraid to improvise. Also, don’t set too high expectations. Your first dish probably won’t be a five-star experience, but persistence is key if you want to succeed. 

3. Spending Time In Nature

Studies have shown that exposure to nature can balance your mood, lower stress, improve focus, and reduce the risk for mental disorders. Less active people often miss the opportunity to enjoy nature.

Remember that you don’t have to be outdoorsy to spend quality time in nature. Instead of a sweaty hike, you can take a walk through the woods, find a nice spot, spread your blanket, enjoy a picnic, or simply read. 

4. Journal

We know that journaling is probably the most millennial thing you can do, and everyone is doing it, but hear us out.

Putting the words on paper has been linked to improving perceptual and visuomotor skills and enhancing the ability to remember and digest information.

You don’t have to track every aspect of your daily life or write countless diary pages. Find something that you genuinely enjoy.

You can write a few sentences every morning or evening and express your feelings and thoughts, or you can even draw something. If you use to-do lists to keep yourself accountable, try to write them down on paper instead of tracking them on your phone. 

5. Yoga Camp

Fitness social media accounts can be an excellent source of inspiration and motivate you to be more active. Still, they’re also setting unhealthy body goals that can adversely affect your mental health.

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Finding something you genuinely enjoy is key to sticking to a workout routine. If you want to challenge yourself, we encourage you to try a 30-day yoga challenge if you’re going to challenge yourself.

You can find countless free yoga classes online, like Yoga With Adriene. Each yoga session focuses on different body parts, and all her classes are suitable for beginners.

They vary in length and intensity so that you won’t feel overwhelmed. Plus, if you love stumbling upon random dog content, her adorable dog Benji is a frequent guest on her channel. 

Conclusion

Breaking a bad habit takes time and effort. The most secure path to success is starting small. Choose one or two activities from our list and try to implement them into your daily routine.

We encourage you to find a part of the day where you can squeeze in your new activity and keep it in your schedule. Also, if you want to avoid adverse side effects of tech, start changing the way you use it instead of ditching it from your daily routine.

Be mindful of the content you consume and surround yourself only with people who positively impact your well-being.