7 Things To Do When You Want To Connect OFF Social Media
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Feel A Lil' Better: Because You Can Still Connect While Disconnecting From Social Media

Your weekly wellness boost from Odyssey.

11700
Feel A Lil' Better: Because You Can Still Connect While Disconnecting From Social Media

No matter how good (or bad) you'd describe your health, one thing is for sure: a little boost is ALWAYS a good idea. Whether that's reading a new, motivating book, or listening to a song that speaks to your soul, there are plenty of resources to help your health thrive on any given day.

I don't know if you've heard, but there's a lot going on right now, particularly in relation to George Floyd's death, Black Lives Matter, and public protest of racial injustice in the United States. While we can all agree that this deserves conversations, change, and actionable good, social media arguments with Great Aunt Linda are not where social change begins and ends. Spending too much time scrolling through your phone has never been healthy, but now it's even more addicting — what does that one person from my hometown say about this? How can I further education within discussions? Am I posting enough?

Social media, while an amazing avenue for sparking conversations, is not the end all be all. It is simply a starting point for real-life action that needs to take place. While you may be able to have meaningful connections through an app, entering an overwhelmed state of mind isn't going to help anyone. There is still so much connection to be done offline, where both your mental sanity and effective change can take place.

Each week, we're bringing you the best resources and influencers to give you a health boost. Here's what we're following this week regarding how to connect while you're disconnecting with social media.

Make a helpful to-do list.

When the world seems to be too much, making a list of helpful, effective tasks that you CAN accomplish gives you a sense of control. Working on productive things you can to do help create positive change will is more effective than getting lost in those Facebook comments.

Read "Playing in the Dark," by Toni Morrison.

There's a reason that Toni Morrison won a Nobel Prize in Literature — her books are beautiful, truthful accounts of what it's like to be Black in the United States. "Playing in the Dark" has a lesson for everyone, and is a great read for education and perspective.

SEE ALSO: 13 Books About Race Absolutely Every American Should Read, Especially Now

Listen to "The United States of Anxiety"

History textbooks have left out a lot of stories that we still need to hear. Listen to some of them one podcast episode at a time with "The United States of Anxiety."

Call your representatives.  

Your elected officials are in an office that should serve it's people's best interests. You — yes, you — have the ability to give them a call and tell them what change you want to see and why (for some pointers, check out this list). If you're one of those people who hates talking on the phone, you can even email them!

Call your mom 

Social media is great for keeping in touch with your old next-door neighbor, but oftentimes the most fruitful conversations happen individually. Call your mom. Call your dad. Call your sister, your best friend, your cousin, or your old volleyball teammate. Have hard, honest conversations about growth with the people in your life.

Meditate and reflect.

It's easy to run as fast as you can until you burn out. Take some time each day to breathe, sit with your thoughts, and reflect on the growth you've seen and the growth you're working toward. Even five minutes can help realign your focus and re-energize your mind.

Take care of yourself so you can take care of others. 

There are many ways to be a helpful friend and ally. Take care of yourself so you can best take care of others.

Is there a wellness resource you'd like to see featured? Send an email to lily.moe@theodysseyonline.com.

As an Amazon partner, Odyssey may earn a portion of qualifying sales.

Report this Content
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

935843
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

112591
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less
New Year Resolutions

It's 2024! You drank champagne, you wore funny glasses, and you watched the ball drop as you sang the night away with your best friends and family. What comes next you may ask? Sadly you will have to return to the real world full of work and school and paying bills. "Ah! But I have my New Year's Resolutions!"- you may say. But most of them are 100% complete cliches that you won't hold on to. Here is a list of those things you hear all around the world.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Ultimate Birthday: Unveiling the Perfect Day to Celebrate!

Let's be real, the day your birthday falls on could really make or break it.

72337
​different color birthday candles on a cake
Blacksburg Children's Museum

You heard it here first: birthdays in college are some of the best days of your four years. For one day annually, you get to forget about your identity as a stressed, broke, and overworked student, and take the time to celebrate. You can throw your responsibilities for a day, use your one skip in that class you hate, receive kind cards and gifts from loved ones and just enjoy yourself.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments