I completed a 40 hr social media fast.
It’s the longest I’ve been off in years.What I noticed:
> calmed nervous system
> improved sleep
> improved exercise performance
> boosted mental clarity
> better mood
> greater presence
In short, a powerful longevity therapy. Exactly what the evidence predicts.
The time away showed me that social media has similar effects on my body and mind as junk food.
Watching myself detox from social media, the pattern reminded me of overcoming a food addiction. There was a time in my life where food dominated my cognition: the anticipation, reward, guilt…on repeat. And no matter how hard I tried, it felt impossible to stop.
I eventually fired Evening Bryan, the version of me who overate between 5-10 pm. He couldn’t eat food, no matter the situation. That single intervention collapsed the vicious cycle I was in and allowed me to build systems to avoid overeating entirely. Now I never think about food or have to experience the crushing guilt, shame and regret of unwanted behaviors.
This 40 hour social media break revealed similar patterns that I knew existed but allowed me to experience.
I was unaware of how much cognitive space social media was occupying by checking the timeline, comments and post performance. The role it played in “I have nothing to do and so I may as well check in…”
The same loops I saw with self-destructive food habits.
The vast majority of social media is junk food. The timeline and comments are flooded with rage, meanness, and slop. Terribly unhealthy for anyone.
It makes me grateful for the few voices who are genuinely positive and constructive in their presence.
I’m going to continue with the weekly social media fast and invite you to do it with me. Every Friday 7 pm through Sunday 7 am.
