3 signs you need an internet break ASAP

Recently when John Green returned from a month-long internet break, he admitted that while his mental health was still a work in progress, his time away actually did improve things. He had previously mentioned, before beginning his hiatus, that the internet was significantly contributing to his intense feelings of hopelessness and despair.

You, too, may be in need of an internet break -- even if it's only for one day, or it only includes certain apps or activities. Here are some signs you need to go offline for a while.

1. You're doom-scrolling every day

There's nothing wrong with a good old-fashioned doom scroll every now and then. Sometimes it can be healthy to remain aware of what's going on in the world. It's how some people process current events and attempt to remain informed.

But if that's all you're doing online, every single day (even if not all day), you might be due for some time away from social media. Constantly flooding your brain with negative energy can have major consequences on your short- and long-term mental health.

2. You feel drained every time you go online

The whole purpose of social media is to make us feel connected to other human beings even if there aren't any close by. Social media can have many positive effects on your life. The internet overall can help you learn, grow, and become more fulfilled in your work and personal life.

So if you have been noticing that going online fills you with a sense of dread, or leaves you feeling exhausted or hopeless or totally spent, that's a sign your online spaces aren't currently meeting your needs. In fact, they might be hurting you. And this might be a great time to put your phone down and find people or activities that energize rather than completely drain you.

3. You don't know why you even bother

One of the major signs of burnout, even among internet users, is not being able to remember why you keep performing the same action over and over again -- even when it produces results you have previously desired.

If you suddenly realize you aren't even sure why you keep logging on to Twitter or every YouTube video you watch feels meaningless (if you can even pay attention to it at all), it might be time to take a step back from your usual online spaces and spend some time engaging in activities that give you a sense of purpose and belonging.