If you think that you may have an Instagram addiction, you’re definitely in the right place for help.
We love Instagram for many different reasons, but we also know that it’s possible to have too much of it in our lives. Whether you’re totally addicted to the gram or not, we can help you manage the time you spend on the app so that you can have a better overall experience of it.
So, stop scrolling for now and let’s take a look at what you can do about your Instagram addiction.
Article Contents
Five Signs That You’re Addicted to Instagram
Did you know that there is research out there that suggests social media can be as addictive as gambling? With thoughts like this in mind, it’s important not to take addiction to social media too lightly. Instagram is becoming more and more popular, which means the issue of having an addiction to it is becoming bigger, too.
There is some research out there that connects an addiction to Instagram with depression and other mental health issues. If you’ve got any of the following issues, then you may be suffering from an addiction to Instagram.
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Posting to the Gram Stresses You Out
It’s no joke – the pressure to post the best picture on Instagram is an actual reality. While some people may just think this is chalked up to taking a great picture, we all know that there’s so much more to posting on Instagram.
Once you have your favorite picture, you will then spend a lot of time editing and selecting the best filter – not to mention that caption that has to be on point. Oh, we almost forgot about finding the right hashtags, too.
On the other side of the coin, there is the pressure of not posting and as a result losing followers. We know that there are many of you out there that use Instagram to build up your business and personal brands. However, if posting to the social media app is causing you a lot of stress, then there’s a good chance that you’re addicted to it.
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Sensitivity to Someone Not Commenting, Liking or Following Back
There’s no hiding how genuine our online lives are – and it’s because they are. Social media is great because it means we can make genuine connections with other people and form relationships that can be translated easily into real life as well.
However, not everything that happens on the internet can be translated into real life. If you’re feeling a bit sensitive and get offended easily if someone doesn’t comment, like or follow you back, then you may be losing sight of what’s really important because of your Instagram addiction.
Just because someone doesn’t like your content doesn’t mean that they have an issue with you necessarily. With this in mind, it’s important to remember that some of your followers may not be seeing your content because of the Instagram algorithm.
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Always Looking at Profiles of People You Dislike
You know the ones – those Instagram profiles where you never comment on their content or like it. You may not even follow them. However, you always seem to find the time to scroll through their content. Why do we do this?
Rationally, we know that we don’t have enough time to be wasting it on profiles we don’t like. However, if you’re still doing this, then there’s a good chance that you’re addicted to it.
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You Delete Posts That Don’t Get Enough Engagement
You spend a lot of time and effort making the perfect post, and then it doesn’t get as much engagement as you had hoped for, so you delete it.
We do get the pressure to connect with your audience – especially because there are so many brands and businesses that depend on this type of marketing to sell their products. However, we’re also young enough to remember that Instagram used to be somewhere where posting content was just a fun pastime. Remember, your self worth is not based on the number of comments or likes you get on your content.
You can expect every post to do amazingly well. If you’re not okay with this reality, then there’s a good chance that you have an Instagram addiction. Remember, posting isn’t the only way to connect with your audience and build your brand.
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You Can’t Stop Scrolling
It doesn’t matter if you’re watching something on Netflix or cooking dinner. You could even be having a conversation with your mother. Whatever it is you’re doing, you can’t finish doing it without having a break to scroll through your Instagram feed.
This is a strong sign that you have an addiction. Another factor could be that you’re not posting because you want to, you’re posting because you think that you have to.
How to Cope With Your Instagram Addiction
So, we’ve talked about five signs that you may have an addiction to Instagram. If you’re reading this now and feeling that at least one of these applied to you, then great. The first step in the process is realizing that you have an issue.
The reality is, having an addiction to Instagram is a very possible thing – but this doesn’t mean that you need to feel ashamed about it. Below are some tips for dealing with your Instagram addiction. Let’s take a look.
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Try Taking a Break From Your Phone
While this one may seem a bit more like common sense, you’d be amazed at how effective it can be. Of course, when you first try this one out, you’re going to be really tempted to check it. You may even reach from your phone without thinking once or twice until you remember that you don’t have it.
However, if you leave your phone in a separate room, you’ll have a much better focus on what you’re doing. If it’s out of sight, then it’s out of mind.
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Block or Unfollow Those Hate Follows
Remember when we talked about scrolling through the feeds of people that you don’t like? If you’re looking to form a healthy, balanced relationship with Instagram, then you’ll need to stop checking the content and profiles of the people that you don’t like.
These accounts could belong to your exes, influencers or even that girl you always disliked in high school. Whoever it is, get rid of their accounts and free yourself from those feelings that are bringing you down.
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Get Your Friends to do a Digital Detox With You
If you’re going to really kick this Instagram addiction, you’re going to need the support of your friends. There’s a good chance that the people in your life are also struggling with this issue as well, so why not ask them if they’re suffering from it too and organize to do a digital detox together.
Even a night out without your phone could help you get on top of your addiction to Instagram.
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Plan Out Your Time
We’re so used to multi-tasking at this point that it can actually be hard for us to just focus on one thing and be present for that. Before you start cutting down on your Instagram use, try really thinking about how you’re going to spend your time.
What is something that you’ve always wanted to try? Perhaps it’s finally time for you to take up embroidery!
You’re much more likely to get off the gram if you’ve got something you can do in its place. You can always post a pic of what you’ve been doing when you get back on it.
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Set Limits
If you’re not someone who thinks that they can just cut Instagram out completely, we get it. Once you’ve done your digital detox and you’re back on the gram, try limiting how much you’re on it by setting time limits. You could even try using an actual timer so that you stick to these limits.
Before you do this, make sure to research the best times to be on there, so you can maximize your time. This way, you’ll have a much better relationship with Instagram, and you’ll enjoy it a lot more when you’re on it. This will help you to stop all of that mindless scrolling.
Facebook and Instagram Can Help Too
As well as our tips on how to deal with your Instagram addiction, Facebook and Instagram have recently come out with a new set of features and tools that can help you manage how much time you’re spending on both these apps.
While they’re not quite released yet, you should keep an eye out for the following:
- Muted Notifications: this feature means that you can prevent getting Instagram notifications.
- Daily Usage: these two apps are coming out with a daily usage reminder so that you can limit the amount of time you spend each day on there. You’ll get a notification when you’ve used up your time limit.
- Activity Dashboard: this feature will be located in settings, and it shows you exactly how much time you’re spending on Instagram.
Final Thoughts
We want you to have a healthy and balanced relationship with Instagram, so let someone help you with this. At Stellation Media, they have committed account managers who can help you grow your Instagram organically, without having to spend even more time on it.
Top Tools for Instagram Growth & Engagement
| Rank | Tool | Type | More Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seek Socially | Growth Service | Visit |
| 2 | Nitreo | Growth Service | Visit |
Get on top of that Instagram addiction and check out their free trial today.
