Social Media Fitness Challenge

Most of us must have taken part in different kinds of challenges such as fitness, health, wellness, mindfulness, productivity, lifestyle, learning, diet control, or at least heard about these challenges. What about a social media fitness challenge? Have you joined any challenges based on this theme or at least heard about it?

The Social Media Fitness Challenge isn't about performing workouts or gym related activities using social media. It is also not about who has more social media followers or who posts more on a particular social media platform. It's about training your mind and accepting the challenge to use social media mindfully and to be cautious about continuous scrolling. We often put great efforts in maintaining our physical fitness or meeting strict timelines to achieve professional goals like a promotion or a pay raise. Yet, honestly, we have lost control when it comes to social media. The hard truth is that in this age where the seeds of artificial intelligence has just been sown, our dependence on digital platforms and applications is only in the initial stage.

Social media's attraction has created a huge distance between families, friends, groups, colleagues even when they are in the same place or room. These days it is also quite common practice to avoid direct communication with people who can easily be connected personally or through phones. Instead, this simple practice has been replaced by merely sending messages on social media platforms. The shocking reality is that a human being cannot sit on his/her own for more than few minutes without scrolling on social media or glaring at his/her phone. Imagine if a person wins an opportunity to drive a Ferrari for few hours. What do you think will the mindset of such a person be? Instead of fully savoring the thrill of driving such a magnificent car and expressing gratitude for this opportunity, they might want to take countless photos, all with the goal of posting a 'perfect' update on social media. The actual value, experience, joy and thrill of that moment is totally lost.

Before artificial intelligence spreads its full wings, it is crucial for humans to awaken themselves and take control of their own lives. The original purpose behind this amazing online connectivity was simple with an intention to help us to connect with the people and the wider society. Yet, over the period of time, we have often misused this incredible tool, turning it into a source of distraction and self-harm rather than genuine connection. Do we really need to post endless photos and videos to prove to the world that we’ve mastered the art of social media? Do we need to reveal that we’re endlessly happy while traveling, dancing, eating, or even performing basic daily tasks by publishing these activities on the public forums despite any need for the same? What about watching endless reels and videos across multiple social media platforms? Can't we use our mind and time instead on productive tasks or to gain some knowledge?

In today’s world, completely avoiding social media is nearly impossible. That’s why it’s essential to challenge ourselves to use it mindfully before we lose ourselves entirely, spending our lives endlessly scrolling instead of embracing the unique advantages of being born as a human being who can do many things compared to other living beings.

Sthitapragya Diaries encourages its readers to take on the Social Media Fitness Challenge, not just to protect themselves, but to safeguard others in society from the overwhelming and often harmful influence of social media by adopting the following strategies:

1. Focus on activities that will distract your mind from social media rather than letting social media distract you. Keep your devices aside as much as possible and immerse in meaningful tasks, conversations with loved ones, or quality time with friends and colleagues. Think of how you can serve this world even in any smallest manner. This will result in spending very less time scrolling through unproductive content. It’s a common misconception that every activity or every place you visit needs a photo or an online post. Instead, learn to fully enjoy the present moment and appreciate where you are and what you’re doing right now.

   
   

2. Surround your home and workplace with things that bring you joy, such as, books, games, flowers and inspiring quotes. Keep a pen and notebook handy so you can capture your thoughts and memories while savoring a cup of tea or coffee. Make it a habit to spend at least 30 quiet minutes each day alone, simply observing the beauty and magic of nature. Take a walk in a garden or an open space with trees around and allow yourself to fully embrace the simple joys of life. Yes, it's absolutely normal to watch others and surroundings (rather than scrolling your phone) while waiting for elevator or for the traffic signal to go green. Preferably, while waiting, it would be beneficial to even smile and greet other human beings rather than scrolling your phone.

3. Remember the school days and how we planned our days around timetables. Each year we studied multiple subjects, and at the start, we’d laugh about how we would manage to complete all the modules. Yet, those structured schedules were a remarkable lesson in discipline, one that can continue to guide us throughout life. Apply the same principle to social media: set aside a small, limited session, just a few minutes once or twice a day to scroll. Practicing this routine not only helps you regain control but also sets an example for others in your family, especially children, teaching them the value of mindful digital habits from a young age.

Ultimately, the Social Media Fitness Challenge isn’t something to try for just a few days or months. It’s a practice to be incorporated into daily life. By doing so, we will not only improve ourselves but also contribute positively to the well-being of our families, friends, and society as a whole. All the Best!

Share your experiences with the other readers of Sthitapragya Diaries after performing this amazing challenge. Post your feedback in the comments section of this post. Don't forget to share this post with as many people as possible and join the revolution to upgrade and protect peace in the AI evolution era.