We're taking a break from social media - and you should too
This August, we’re taking a break from social media – and we think you should too.
COVID 19 has been wreaking havoc around the world. Not just with deaths, economies and resources but also with mental health.
A recent article on CNA1 reported that “More than nine in 10 Singaporeans (91 per cent) have said that their mental health has declined in the last year”.
Social media isn’t exactly helping with this issue. As teachers, we have definitely seen the detriment of mental health, mood and energy levels of our students over the last two years. As this refers to both adult and young learners. Social media brings about comparisons, feelings of insecurity, low-self-esteem, competition and narcissism. If not managed, social media becomes an addiction and starts to govern your life. One constantly feels like they have to prove to the world that they are special, different and better than others. One constantly feels judged and that they’re not good enough.
Social media is the first thing we check in the morning and the last thing we look at before going to sleep at night.
This August, we urge you, like us, to be mindful of how much time you or your children are spending on screens. We already have to work and have school online, our entertainment then, shouldn’t be virtual as well. Staying in front of the television and the computer all day blurs the lines between what’s real and what’s not. Which is a very scary thought.
So, instead of escaping into the Internet, here are some things you can do instead every time you feel like you need to disappear, turn off your mind or relax.
1. Go outside – science has proven that even 20 minutes of nature can reduce cortisol levels, the primary stress hormone, that also regulates blood sugar, inflammation, memory levels and metabolism
2. Read a book – research has shown that reading increases brain connectivity, fights depression and prevents cognitive decline. As language teachers, we can’t stress enough the benefits of reading for improving listening, speaking and writing skills.
3. Learn an instrument – studies have found that learning and playing an instrument reduces stress, anxiety and even blood pressure. It has even been said to help prevent Alzheimers disease.
4. Make a phone call – stop texting and use your voice. So often nowadays we resort to text messages and emails. We’re losing the ability to speak to people, even on the phone. Let’s not even go into face-to-face communication yet. Hearing and voice and speaking to someone creates stronger relationships because your message is clear and the answers you seek are in real time.
5. Meditate, stretch or exercise – movement and breathing helps to reduce anxiety, builds confidence, creates awareness and helps you to calm down and see things more clearly. We need to stop moving in auto-pilot mode and really think about every action that we do. Mindfulness and being aware will help with that and also help us to see things more clearly.
We wish you a healthy and happy August and will see you again in September for more book reviews and blog posts. Until then, slow down and switch off once in a while.