Want to feel happier? Science says logging off Facebook at the right time works
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If you’ve ever felt your blood pressure spike during a scroll through Facebook—especially during a high-stakes election—you’re not alone.
But what if the secret to better mental health was as simple as logging off?
A major new study involving over 35,000 participants has revealed surprising insights about what happens when users deactivate Facebook or Instagram during the weeks leading up to an election.
The results may surprise you—and could even make you rethink your relationship with social media.
Researchers from several top US universities, working in partnership with Meta (Facebook and Instagram’s parent company), set out to explore social media’s impact during one of the most turbulent times in modern political history.
Participants were paid to deactivate either their Facebook or Instagram accounts during the final weeks of the 2020 presidential election. Some deactivated for six weeks; others for just one.
What made the timing so significant was that the study took place in the middle of a pandemic, economic upheaval, and a hard-fought campaign between Joe Biden and Donald Trump.
Even though political content only made up around 6% of Facebook’s news feed at the time, the psychological impact was real—and measurable.
So what happened when people unplugged? The findings revealed that stepping away from Facebook led to a modest but meaningful boost in happiness—roughly a 4% shift from people saying they felt happy “sometimes” to “often.”
Stress and anxiety also declined, with participants reporting fewer feelings of depression and emotional overwhelm.
The biggest mental health improvements came from Facebook users over 35, undecided voters, and people without college degrees.
On Instagram, young women aged 18 to 24 saw the greatest gains in wellbeing.
Also read: Sip your stress away: 5 dietitian-approved drinks guaranteed to calm your worst days
Researchers were quick to note that the emotional benefits were seen across politically engaged and disengaged users alike, suggesting the relief came more from logging off than from stepping out of politics.
Despite deactivating Facebook or Instagram, most users didn’t go completely offline.
Many simply switched to other apps, filling the void with alternate content.
Still, even that shift was enough to create noticeable changes in mood. And while participants were less active in political conversations online, their overall knowledge of election issues remained stable.
Also read: Understanding the “functional freeze”—how stress can keep you stuck
This points to a broader reality: you can stay informed without being constantly immersed.
Experts like American Psychiatric Association President Dr. Petros Levounis stress that rising anxiety in recent years is tied to nonstop exposure to global crises.
Taking a break—even temporarily—can help.
Concern over social media’s influence is nothing new. Lawmakers in multiple states have pushed for new regulations, including warning labels and stricter platform oversight.
Read next: Unlock the secret to melt away stress with this simple color walk technique
Have you ever taken a break from Facebook or Instagram? Did it help your mood or stress levels? Or do you have tips for managing digital overwhelm in a hyper-connected world? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below—we’d love to hear how you’re finding balance in the social media age.
But what if the secret to better mental health was as simple as logging off?
A major new study involving over 35,000 participants has revealed surprising insights about what happens when users deactivate Facebook or Instagram during the weeks leading up to an election.
The results may surprise you—and could even make you rethink your relationship with social media.
Researchers from several top US universities, working in partnership with Meta (Facebook and Instagram’s parent company), set out to explore social media’s impact during one of the most turbulent times in modern political history.
Participants were paid to deactivate either their Facebook or Instagram accounts during the final weeks of the 2020 presidential election. Some deactivated for six weeks; others for just one.
What made the timing so significant was that the study took place in the middle of a pandemic, economic upheaval, and a hard-fought campaign between Joe Biden and Donald Trump.
Even though political content only made up around 6% of Facebook’s news feed at the time, the psychological impact was real—and measurable.
Science says logging off facebook at the right time works. Image source: Dawid Sokołowski / Unsplash
So what happened when people unplugged? The findings revealed that stepping away from Facebook led to a modest but meaningful boost in happiness—roughly a 4% shift from people saying they felt happy “sometimes” to “often.”
Stress and anxiety also declined, with participants reporting fewer feelings of depression and emotional overwhelm.
The biggest mental health improvements came from Facebook users over 35, undecided voters, and people without college degrees.
On Instagram, young women aged 18 to 24 saw the greatest gains in wellbeing.
Also read: Sip your stress away: 5 dietitian-approved drinks guaranteed to calm your worst days
Researchers were quick to note that the emotional benefits were seen across politically engaged and disengaged users alike, suggesting the relief came more from logging off than from stepping out of politics.
Despite deactivating Facebook or Instagram, most users didn’t go completely offline.
Many simply switched to other apps, filling the void with alternate content.
Still, even that shift was enough to create noticeable changes in mood. And while participants were less active in political conversations online, their overall knowledge of election issues remained stable.
Also read: Understanding the “functional freeze”—how stress can keep you stuck
This points to a broader reality: you can stay informed without being constantly immersed.
Experts like American Psychiatric Association President Dr. Petros Levounis stress that rising anxiety in recent years is tied to nonstop exposure to global crises.
Taking a break—even temporarily—can help.
Concern over social media’s influence is nothing new. Lawmakers in multiple states have pushed for new regulations, including warning labels and stricter platform oversight.
Read next: Unlock the secret to melt away stress with this simple color walk technique
