After an extremely tense election, Americans' social media streams are filled with political news and angry comments from both sides. Your once relaxed and enjoyable habit of browsing Facebook at lunch time is now further exacerbating your stress levels. When scrolling through Twitter information flow, do you feel chest tightness and shortness of breath? It's time to cut off the internet.

But this is easier said than done. Unless you plan to turn off your ubiquitous phone completely, you will have to ignore annoying notifications. Even if you turn off notifications, your brain will proactively motivate you to view the information flow: sharing your perspective online releases pleasant dopamine in your brain, and over time, social media users will be eager to click, like, and collect. Many of us unconsciously visit social apps or websites when we are bored or seek comfort.

So, if you want to relieve stress, you must proactively block your own viewing of the information flow on the weekend. Here are some methods, from the mildest to the extreme.

Disable notifications

The easiest way is to turn off notifications from each platform and disable email updates, mobile notifications and any other alerts. Then, when you want to check social media, you need to divert your attention. Rather than going to Instagram, play games, browse Wikipedia or search for cute animal pictures.

This is not a very effective deterrent, because only one memory negligence is required and you will find yourself entering the URL of a social website in your browser. Fortunately, there is an easy solution to protect you from your own forgetfulness.

Using the application

Many productivity applications allow you to block access to specific websites and applications within a set period of time. For your computer, you can try Focus (for Mac) or FocusMe (for Windows and Mac). For your phone, FocusMe also has an Android version, while Offtime is available for iOS and Android. Mac users can also use Self Control to completely resolve the issue, which can block websites for up to 24 hours and is almost impossible to disable (you can delete it from your hard drive, but you still can't revisit pre-select until the time expires. blacklisted websites).

If you are looking for a relaxing weekend instead of a longer vacation, these apps work best. After all, some of these apps can only limit social media to 8 to 24 hours at a time. Another solution is to make access to these platforms a little more troublesome.

Clear thoroughly

This method works best if you want to reduce your social media time for more than a weekend. First, delete or disable all social apps on your phone. To restrict your computer, please log out from your social platform first. Then delete your web browser's cookies and saved password. Now, you won't be automatically logged in every time you visit Facebook. You can always reinstall the app or re-enter your password (if you remember), but when it takes more time to access these platforms, you are more likely to remember to avoid them.

The downside is that if you (or be honest, when you) decide to rejoin your social community, you will have to overcome some obstacles to come back. But if you are really stressed, staying away from social media for longer can also be a positive result.

Full Close

The advantage of the first three methods is that they do not block Internet access. You can always follow friends’ text messages and emails from work, use meditation apps, and even binge-watch Netflix. However, for a thorough digital detox, you can turn off all devices.

Turn off the phone, put it in the box, wrap the box with tape, and place the package into another larger box. The longer it takes you to access the device, the more likely you will be to stop disassembling the tape halfway through and remember why you avoid social media in the first place. For your computer, you don't need to restrict physical devices – you just need to restrict internet access. Unplug the wireless router and isolate it using the “box, tape, and box” method you use for your phone.

Then try some scientifically proven stress relief activities. Go to the gym for strenuous exercise. meditation. Read, watch or listen to something that will make you laugh. Sing with your favorite music. If you are still eager for social interaction, try spending time with family and friends – in real life.

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