Is digital detox and mindfulness a game-changing combination for Instagram use and body image outcomes? Results from an experimental intervention study.
Kriti Kelkar, Annika P C Lutz, Anna E Kornadt, André Melzer
Body image October 17, 2026 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2026.102209 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial (one-week experimental pre-post intervention) Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 120 |
| Population | Young adults aged 18-34 (59.8% female) |
| Intervention | Mindfulness meditation |
| Duration | One-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Body image Young people Digital detox Instagram use |
| Key findings | Combining a one-week Instagram detox with daily mindfulness meditation was associated with reductions in body shape concerns and drive for muscularity, whereas detox alone was associated only with reduced body shape concerns. The mindfulness group showed significant within-group changes across all three body image outcomes, and the control group showed no changes over time. |
Abstract
Instagram use has been linked to body image concerns. However, voluntarily abstaining from social media ("digital detox") as a strategy to mitigate this association has yielded mixed results. This raises the question of whether a complementary problem-focused intervention can strengthen the benefits of abstinence on body image outcomes. Building on this premise, the present one-week experimental pre-post intervention study examined the potential synergistic effect of a digital detox from Instagram, combined with a mindfulness intervention, on three outcomes-body shape concerns, drive for muscularity, and appearance evaluation-among young adults aged 18-34. Mindfulness was selected as an intentional action-based strategy that has previously shown benefits for body image satisfaction. Participants (N = 120; 59.8% female) were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: mindfulness plus detox, detox only, or control. Unlike the control group, participants in both intervention groups refrained from Instagram use for one week, while those in the mindfulness group additionally engaged in daily mindfulness meditations. Significant Time × Group interactions emerged for body shape concerns and drive for muscularity. The mindfulness group showed reductions in both outcomes, whereas the detox-only group showed reductions in body shape concerns alone. Within-group analyses further indicated significant changes across all body image outcomes in the mindfulness condition. As anticipated, the control group showed no changes over time. Overall, these findings provide promising evidence for the added value of combining digital detox and mindfulness as feasible lifestyle interventions to promote healthier body image among young people.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 6
- Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Assessment February 29, 2008
- Mindfulness-based interventions and their relationships with body image and eating behavior in adolescents: a scoping review. Journal of Eating Disorders May 1, 2025
- A brief mindfulness meditation can ameliorate the effects of exposure to idealised social media images on self-esteem, mood, and body appreciation in young women: An online randomised controlled experiment. Body image March 15, 2024
- Lower Mindfulness is Associated with Problematic Social Media Use: A Meta-Analysis Current Psychology March 30, 2023
- Mindfulness-Based Interventions and Body Awareness Brain Science February 1, 2022
and 1 more in the library