Tips for Disconnecting: Stay Social Without Social Media

We are in the midst of holiday gatherings, dinners, and parties. Whether we are hosting or being hosted, we often struggle to manage all this social time within our already packed schedules, hoping to make it through.

In the moments between these social interactions with friends and family, stop and ask yourself: Are you truly present?

Reflect on the last social event you attended, be it with family, friends, or coworkers. How much of that time did you spend on your smartphone?

Did you notice everyone else in the room glued to their screens? How much of your social time was actually spent engaging directly with others rather than through social media?

This consideration isn't just for the holidays.

Technology is everywhere, and our smartphones are always with us. However, being constantly connected can negatively affect our psychological health and social lives.

There's no doubt that smartphones have improved our lives in many ways. Yet, as these devices become indispensable, we risk missing out on irreplaceable aspects of life—like experiences, physical touch, and real conversations with those around us instead of with digital profiles. Ensure your screen doesn't block out the life you could be living!

Still not convinced it's important to be present during social gatherings? Consider this evidence:

Being absorbed in your "digital world" can negatively impact your children and make them feel unimportant when parents excessively use their smartphones. Excessive smartphone use can also harm your love life.

It's clear that smartphones can hinder our social interactions, yet most of us continue to use them regardless.

Since our smartphones are always with us, we need to be mindful about not reaching for them at every opportunity.

Each time you reach for your phone, question why you are doing so.

Strategies for Disconnecting

If you're looking for strategies to stay off your smartphone while being social, here are some effective tips:

• Keep your phone in your purse or coat pocket. If it's out of immediate reach, you're less likely to use it.
• Unless you truly need it, silence your phone or turn it off when you're with family and friends.
• Involve everyone: suggest that everyone places their phones in a designated area (like a basket on the counter, a stack on the restaurant table, or a shelf by the door).
• Consider leaving your phone at home. It might seem daring, but will the world really fall apart without it?