Social Media in Moderation
How much time do you think you’re spending on social media? Recent statistics may surprise you. The average time spent on social media every day is just under 2 ½ hours for all users between the ages of 16 and 64 across the world. If the average user continued this trend—not taking into account that the time spent on social media increases year after year—they would spend 5.7 years of their life on social media!
There are certainly benefits to being connected. It’s easier than ever to stay in touch with friends and family. You can leverage social media to network and find jobs. You can curate your interests and likes on a single platform.
Of course, it’s always best to keep all things in moderation. If you feel hooked, less productive than usual, or maybe you just want to take a social media breather, there are plenty of resources to help.
Try monitoring how much time you’re spending on social media. Apps like Moment and Offtime are free and can help you set and stick to boundaries by notifying you once you’ve exceeded your chosen time limit. Some platforms such as Instagram have implemented internal features to track and share how much time you’re really spending, browsing, and swiping.
Resources: Data Report Digital 2020 Report; Backlinko Social Network Usage and Growth Statistics 2021.
Let’s Grab Lunch
Millions of people were forced to work and learn from home over the past year. While there have been some upsides, like reduced commute times, a recent study found that Americans are spending over 45 extra minutes a day working than before the pandemic. Even before they started working from home, nearly two-thirds of Americans either worked through lunch at their desk or skipped their lunch break altogether. Practicing mindfulness around real breaks throughout the day can boost your mood, productivity, and overall happiness—starting with lunch!
Resources: National Bureau of Economic Research, Collaborating During Coronavirus: The Impact of COVID-19 on the Nature of Work, 2020. The New York Times Magazine Work Issue, 2016.
You’re Worth It!
Ever wonder whether it would be worth it to go back to school for a degree? Consider this. Statistics show that the average salary for someone with an associate degree is $46,124, while someone with only a high school diploma will earn an average of $36,782. Over the course of their career, a person with an associate degree will make about $300,000 more than someone without!
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
