My eyes began to droop as the dull glow from my phone fried the last shred of my brain power, but I could not resist. There was no way I would just fall asleep so early, but what else could I possibly do to pass such a short amount of time? Nowadays, whenever I have free time, I simply go on my phone before continuing my to-do list. However, I fondly recall engaging regularly in hands-on activities when I was younger, from assembling craft kits to baking mug cakes. Being able to participate in purposeful activities to relax was essential for my well-being, but as society has become increasingly dependent on social media and seen waning attention spans, I find myself wanting to break out of this cycle and have more hobbies besides watching short-form content.
Social media has lowered users’ attention spans because, as Alyssa Deitchman addresses in the New York University Online Publication of Undergraduate Studies, “social networking allows for instant gratification due to the instantaneous nature that operates at unrealistic time scales.” By surrounding ourselves with applications that are designed to capture users’ attention within seconds, our brain encourages us to immerse ourselves in such a setting in order to feel more of a reward. Furthermore, this consistent exposure to instant gratification reduces one’s concentration on a specific task. Thus, activities that require dedication over a long period of time, such as knitting a blanket or learning a brand-new instrument, have decreased in popularity. To unwind, many people turn to social media instead due to its easy accessibility (entertainment being one click away) and the low effort needed to receive the same, if not higher, level of stimulation or reward compared to a longer duration activity.
Given the recent rise in hustle culture, or the notion that one should continually be working hard to achieve profitable success, having hobbies that solely benefit an individual may seem pointless. However, taking part in purposeful activities leads to improved mental health. In the Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, Gijira Kaimal and her associates found that adults who participated in an art activity found their time to be truly relaxing and enjoyable. Scientifically, there was a noticeable decrease in the adults’ levels of cortisol, or the stress hormone, after creating the art. In contrast, spending time on social media can lead to comparison, jealousy, and other negative emotions. By engaging in an activity that requires intention rather than mindlessly scrolling on social media, one can attain mental peace due to the physical benefits involved in tactile projects.
All in all, I strive to add purpose to my own daily routine through hands-on activities, like crocheting or going on walks. By slowly replacing the time spent on a phone with a long-term hobby, more people can feel truly relaxed as they try to break away from the harmful emotional cycles that social media perpetuates. Although it may take more time to set up and engage in a hobby, in the long run, society could witness significant, positive changes in emotional health in turn creating a better community for all.
