Social Media Detox! 101 Ways to Stay Connected, Busy and Healthy

There are so many great reasons to take a social media detox these days. If you’re like me, social media can slowly whittle away the precious hours you have in the day. It leaves me feeling less connected, at times, and as though I haven’t focused on me for ages.

So what exactly is a social media detox, and how do you take one?

Taking a break from social media for any amount of time is what I consider a detox. Everyone’s different – some of us use it a few times per day and just need a small break; others are glued to the likes, hearts, and counts of each and every post. Those in the latter camp may need a longer time to unplug, reset, and reevaluate our relationship with social media.

My definition is to go at least 3 days without accessing social media – not for work, my website, or for pleasure. Ideally, I like to go at least one week. That gives me time to invest in other activities, like these. But to each their own! Do what works for you, and enjoy that time without being glued to the screen.

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Stay Connected

Our lives are so busy that for some of us, social media seems like the primary way in which we stay connected with family and friends. During a social media detox, use the following strategies to stay connected and in touch with your friends and family! The old fashioned ways – by mail, phone and in person.

1. Have a coffee date

2. Host a movie night

3. Call an old friend

4. Have a tea date

5. Play cards with friends (check out some of our faves!)

6. Host a game night (more faves)

7. Start a silly meme thread with family

8. Walk with a friend

9. Go see a movie

10. Host a themed dinner

11. Visit a family member

12. Take a dance lesson

13. Call a family member

14. Write and send a card to someone you love

Take Care of Yourself

Putting down the screens opens up lots of time for us to slow down and take better care of ourselves. Use these simple ideas and activities to take care of yourself during a social media detox. Focus on your mental health, physical well-being and peace of mind with these ideas.

15. Go for a walk

16. Take a day-long road trip

17. Get or give yourself a pedicure

18. Take a spa bath

19. Journal every day (check out these journal prompts for ideas)

20. Reflect on the year with these questions

21. Write a gratitude list

22. Discover brain apps for improving concentration and focus

23. Meditate with apps

24. Research local fitness classes (yoga, swim, walking clubs, team sports)

25. Listen to a self-discovery podcast

26. Listen to a binge-worthy podcast

27. Do a jigsaw puzzle

28. Take a bike ride

29. Read a digital book

30. Check out a novel from the library

31. Binge watch a great show!

32. Do a crossword puzzle

33. Organize your loved one’s birthdays on a calendar (I love these hanging wall calendars)

34. Use dry erase markers to put positive messages on your mirror

35. Take a Nap

36. Exercise

37. Go for a Hike or Walk on a Nature Trail

Get Organized

Have you ever set out to do some heavy-duty organizing in your world? Doing a social media detox is a great time to focus on organization, cleaning and simplifying life. Whether it be organizing your work world or your personal space, check out these ideas for getting organized during a social media detox.

38. Organize your closet (Container Store LOVE!)

39. Donate old clothes, coats or shoes from your wardrobe

40. Donate kids’ clothes

41. Organize your office or drawers

42. Design a room in your home, like the laundry room

43. Clean up your Inboxes (email, etc.)

44. Organize photos on your phone or hard drive

45. Make a trip to the Dump and purge

46. Plan a trip

47. Plan a trip with travel books

48. Buy and organize a day planner (this is the BEST personalized planner out there)

49. Organize your pantry or kitchen food

50. Upcycle old furniture or decor

51. “Unsubscribe” from junk emails

52. Go Paperless on Bills, Statements and Accounts

53. Sell Things on Craigslist or Marketplace

Get Creative

One of my favorite things about Pinterest is all the inspiration! I’m inspired daily to try new things – but who has the time?! During a social media detox, there’s lots more time to do the creative things I’ve always wanted to try. Check out these starter ideas to get those creative juices flowing and fill your time!

54. Make melt-and-pour soap

55. Add positive quotes to your water bottle or laptop

56. Paint an abstract image

57. Knit or crochet

58. Sew for Fun

59. Learn a New Dance Move from YouTube

60. Design a Collage of the Year’s Highlights

61. Write a Poem

62. Design a Scrapbook (I love my Silhouette Cameo 3)

63. Build a Calendar with Photos for a Gift (here’s 20% off from VistaPrint)

64. Play with Kids

65. Learn a New Hair Style

66. Draw with a New Medium (chalk, pastel, pencil, etc.)

Food Love

67. Bake a cake (I’m in love with Bundt Cakes these days!)

68. Plan a healthy meal

69. Try new herbal teas

70. Freeze flavored ice cubes for healthy drinks

71. Make a smoothie with veggie cubes

72. Make freezer cookies

73. Cook Crock Pot soup

74. Make and Freeze Meals for your family

75. Browse for or Buy a New Table Centerpiece

76. Try One New Veggie this Week

77. Make Meringue Cookies (this is one of my FAVORITE recipes!)

78. Purge your Kitchen Drawers

79. Find a New Recipe on Yummly

Garden & Outdoor Play

80. Plant seeds

81. Plan an herb garden

82. Organize your seeds in a Catalog

83. Start a Garden Journal

84. Design a patio

85. Plan a plant sale

86. Shop for cut garden flowers

87. Plant a Rose Garden

88. Take your dog for a walk

89. Discover new breeds of dogs (here’s my favorite)

90. Plan a planter garden

91. Design a soup pot garden

92. Pull weeds

93. Watch birds at a bird feeder

94. Put out hummingbird feeders

Yes – Shop!

95. Go to a thrift store

96. Sell something on eBay

97. Curate a wish list on Etsy or Amazon

98. Set up travel alerts for wish-list destinations

99. Load Digital Coupons on your Loyalty Cards

100. Go shopping with a friend

101. Upcycle great finds from the Dollar Store

Best of luck to you on your Social Media Detox! Share your experience below in the Comments. How long did you detox for? What was your experience? Do you have recommendations for others?

Don’t forget to Pin this for Later or share with friends now!

Thanks and take care!