The phrase “touching grass” has become common on social media, aimed toward those who spend too much time online. Although it may sound like just another snarky piece of internet slang, it actually carries a lot of wisdom.
Social media offers constant stimulation — a never-ending stream of noise so we never have to confront silence. While it can provide meaningful connections, using social media can also result in an addiction that worsens the quality of our daily lives. It is time we take some inspiration from the phrase “touching grass” to curb social media addiction and improve our well-being as college students.
Our generation is the biggest user of social media, spending an average of just over three hours per day across platforms — time that could be used more productively. This incessant social media use is often caused by stress. We don’t want to face the stress of our daily lives, so we use social media as a distraction. And while it can provide an escape from reality, social media use is not a remedy and can actually increase stress rather than relieve it.
Having to juggle multiple challenging classes is no easy task, with assignments constantly looming and assessments that often make up much of your grade. And with the additional pressures of extracurriculars, social life and finances weighing you down, it is natural to feel stressed as a college student. The solution to this stress, however, is not found on a phone screen, as compulsive scrolling can lead to procrastination, which takes away time students need to do their work and continues the stressful cycle.
Social media is also a detriment to focus, a crucial skill for any college student. It is all too easy to become distracted by our phones. Social media, in particular, hinders focus because it leverages our brain’s reward system by releasing dopamine, also known as the “feel-good” chemical. As a result, we become stuck in an addictive loop that impedes our ability to focus on necessary tasks.
What starts as a quick phone break turns into hours of scrolling that could have been used productively. You can spend all day in the library with your laptop out, but without focus and constant scrolling, you won’t complete any work effectively.
Additionally, social media addiction can hinder sleep quality. Sleep is key to a productive day as a college student, as no one likes going to class tired and having to use their limited attention to take notes. We want to make time for clubs or hitting the gym, but doing so when we’re tired can make the experience dreadful or lead us to skip it altogether.
Even so, a survey from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that 93 percent of Gen Z admitted to staying up later than their intended bedtime and losing sleep from social media scrolling. You may get into bed and tell yourself you’re only going to scroll for a couple of minutes, but this time often stretches longer than expected, cutting hours off your sleep. Consequently, you wake up tired and become trapped in an unproductive cycle.
How can we, then, reduce our stress, regain our focus and improve our quality of sleep? The answer may quite literally be “touching grass” — nature.
Going out into nature without a screen in hand — whether for a short walk, a hike or even just lying in the grass — provides us with a much-needed break from the pace of social media. Instead of overwhelming your brain with video after video, the quiet outdoor atmosphere provides you with space to think and escape the constant stimulation of social media. In fact, just 10 to 20 minutes a day in nature has been shown to reduce stress among college students.
Research from Purdue Global also suggests that nature can help recharge cognitive focus and attention, something we often desperately need. Nature is not stimulating in the addictive way that social media is — instead, it is calming and relaxing. When we are not scrolling in search of the next best thing, we can place our attention in the present moment and surroundings, allowing us to regain our focus. This is why a walk outside is often suggested as one of the best kinds of study breaks.
Time spent outside can also help with sleep issues. Exposure to natural light can regulate our circadian rhythm, improving the quality of our sleep. Thus, stepping into nature can provide a much-needed recharge and a sense of tranquility away from the stresses of college life.
I’m not saying we should never use social media, but if we can carve out so much time for it in our busy schedules, we can easily find time to be out in nature. What seems like a simple act may be vital to success as a college student.
With the Nature Preserve readily accessible on Binghamton University’s campus, what are we waiting for? We can easily find 10 minutes to scroll, so why not use that time for an activity that gets us some fresh air?
Kayla Cloherty is a freshman majoring in history.
Views expressed in the opinions pages represent the opinions of the columnists. The only piece that represents the view of the Pipe Dream Editorial Board is the staff editorial.