Do you need a social media vacation?

Are you a Facebook fanatic? An Instagram insatiate? Or perhaps you have a Pinterest preoccupation. Social media is a fact of modern life, but is your passion for sharing a pastime or a problem?

Check out our five point checklist of warning signs and learn how to give social media a rest!

1. Online obsession

Most of us check our phones, tablets or laptops several times a day for social media updates. In fact, a recent study of 700 mobile phone users showed that the average person checked their device for calls, texts, emails and updates 103.4 times every day. And the reason? It's simple: social media is addictive.

A like or a retweet could happen at any time, and it's that possibility of an update that keeps us looking. But if you think your checking is getting obsessive, try turning your device off for an hour or two and putting it in another room. Out of sight really is out of mind, and you'll feel a lot more relaxed if you can think about something other than your updates for a while.

2. Fewer face to face interactions

It can happen to the best of us: sometimes it's easier to catch up with a friend over text or Twitter than it is to go and meet them face to face. One sure sign you’re overdoing social media is when, on balance, you do more of your communicating online than in person. 

If that sounds like you, why not try swapping your virtual hangouts for real ones? Of course, some online friends are too far away to meet up with in person, but if there's someone in your town who you haven't seen in ages, then invite them out for coffee or have a girls' night in. It's these real-life, quality interactions that can keep you grounded.

3. Lower productivity

Noticed a drop-off in your creativity, productivity and activity levels? Maybe it's social media that’s driving you to distraction. Constantly checking devices for updates can get in the way of the things that really need your attention, and could even affect your concentration levels overall.

If distractions are swallowing up all your free time, try taking a break to focus on just one thing. You could go for a run, start a DIY project or curl up with a good book. Taking some time to do an activity that requires sustained concentration will give you a fantastic sense of achievement.

4. Posting spam

We’ve all had a social media cull from time to time - a clearout of contacts whose comments have become so boring they defy response. Nobody wants to join the legions of the social media braindead, but after a while it becomes easy to say something just for the sake of saying it.

So how do you keep your social media content interesting? Share exciting experiences! The whole point of social media is to let people know about the awesome things you've been up to, so go on some cool daytrips, have adventures at funfairs and theme parks, and try outdoor activities from hiking to hang-gliding. And remember, before you post anything, ask yourself: is this what I would like to read?

5. Reliance

When a status or tweet doesn't get any reaction it can make you feel a little blue, but you can end up becoming heavily reliant on those likes and retweets. Tying your self-esteem to social media popularity is a weak foundation for feeling good, so make sure you're getting some validation away from the online world.

If you think you’re putting too much emphasis on what other people say online, take some time away to reacquaint yourself with your offline hobbies. Whether you paint, write, sing or dance, do whatever it is that makes you feel good and remember that the person with the most important opinion about you is ... you!