How is fasting from social media helpful

Have you realized how much time you spend browsing your social media accounts?

Some people must refrain from using their social media accounts because they feel it drains them and steals their time and energy for something more substantial. We call it social media fast.

Although social media has become a part of our system since it is where we get connected and updated, especially in times of pandemic, they still pose some disadvantages.

What the Bible says about fasting

In the Bible, fasting is about refraining from eating food and relying on God’s strength and power through prayer. 

People fast in preparation for ministry, seeking God’s wisdom, showing grief, seeking protection, and worshiping God.

There are two common ways of fasting mentioned in Scripture, which are Daniel’s way of fasting and Jesus’ 40-day fasting. 

Daniel’s fasting refers to eating fruits and vegetables alone, while Jesus’ 40-day fasting refers to not eating anything for 40 days.

Since we have more distractions than before, such as social networking sites, people have tried to avoid social media.

What does social media fasting mean

Social media fasting is about avoiding using your social media accounts for a specific period. You can stop using social networking sites like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

Additionally, you can decide whether you would only use them on some devices, including a phone or a computer.

Thus, the primary reason for any fasting should be to draw closer to God. 

However, some people fast from social media accounts to avoid anxiety, depression, and distractions. 

Moreover, you will get the most out of your “social media fast” when you spend it with God.

How is fasting from social media helpful

What is in it for me if I observed social media fasting? How can refraining from the use of social media help me? 

The blog will discuss some of the benefits we could get when we choose to avoid using most of our time on our social media accounts.

For these reasons, we may realize how precious our time is and make the best of it.

Here are some of the ways social media fast could help us.

Get closer to God

Some people may not know how much time they spend on social media accounts. Still, social media fast could give us more chances to use this time to learn more about God and speak our hearts to Him.

Whenever you feel like you are grabbing your phone and checking on your Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok account, try to read the Bible or make a simple prayer. 

It could help you to have a firm foundation of your identity and purpose in Jesus Christ.

Besides, it is a great way to communicate with God about anything instead of posting it online, where you are unsure if anybody would care.

Get closer to your loved ones

Have you ever felt like you were in the distance with your loved ones at home yet lived under the same roof? 

Social media are means of connecting with people far from each other, but can become means of separation from the people near us. 

With the help of “social media fast,” you can have more time to bond with your spouse, children, and parents. 

Moreover, children would appreciate this effort since their parents spend most of their time working, then when they get home, they are busy on their social media. 

Contrarily, they could learn more about their kids and make more memories with them during social media fasting.

Boost your self-esteem

Most of us are unaware that the more we use social networking sites, the more we lose our self-esteem. 

The Addiction Center's research revealed an undeniable connection between the use of social media, negative mental health, and low self-confidence. 

Too much use of social media could make you feel unhappy and isolated and can lead you to compare yourself with others. 

When you fast from social media, it helps to increase your self-esteem and make you more thankful for who you are and what you have. 

More focused on your goals

Have you ever told yourself only to use your social media for 30 minutes, but the next thing you know, you have spent more than two hours scrolling through your Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok account?

Although we know that we have a lot of things to do and accomplish, social media gives us more reasons to procrastinate. 

Fasting from using your social media accounts could limit distractions from achieving what you want.

Imagine what you can do within the few hours you spend with your accounts. You could have finished your chores at home or submitted your report at work. This habit could be very effective to achieve your goals.

Also, you could have finished a few pages of inspirational books or exercised instead of browsing social media.

Give you peace 

Imagine how many people have fought and destroyed their friendships because of posts and comments on their social media accounts. 

When you go on social media fast, you reward yourself with the peace you deserve. You already have so much on your plate, and responding to other people’s posts would only give you another reason to be distracted.

When you refrain from using your accounts, you do yourself a favor by not being tempted to react to others’ posts or comments.

Besides, you do not have to be bothered by how many likes and reactions you get from your posts. This saves you from getting validation from other people.

Reduced worries and stress

It is so stressful when we constantly compare our lives with others. We cannot help but compare our lives with others when using our social media accounts. 

Although your friends and the people you are following just want to celebrate their achievements, we could be jealous.

Additionally, a constant comparison could lead to feeling more self-conscious and needing perfection and order. The study states that it could lead to social anxiety disorder.

More so, we may feel like being left behind by the norm. Some people try to be somebody they are not on social media just to hit more followers. 

Thus, we can avoid stress and worries through social media and focus more on what matters most.

Do or discover more things you love

Sometimes using our social media accounts hinders us from enjoying hobbies such as playing sports, cooking, or reading books. 

Our social media consumes so much of our time that we do not have time to do what we love or discover what we can enjoy.

However, we could have more time to enrich our skills, gifts, and talents during our social media fast. We could learn new things, such as playing guitar, writing a blog, or cooking, to glorify God more.

More importantly, we could learn more about how we could store up treasures in heaven as we manage our time wisely.

Try and see the difference

If you cannot detach yourself from social media, try it gradually. You can try social media fast for three days, then a week, then a month, and you can see the difference in how you become free from all pressures we get on social media.

Remember that there is nothing wrong with trying when you know that it could give more benefits and make you the better version of yourself.