A new survey by US wellness provider Drip Hydration reveals that nearly half of Americans would permanently delete their social media accounts in exchange for 10 extra years of healthy life.
The nationwide poll, conducted in early 2026, highlights a growing willingness among Americans to sacrifice digital habits for greater longevity, amid rising awareness of social media’s potential impact on mental and physical well-being.
Released in late January 2026, the survey asked respondents how far they would go to gain a decade of additional healthy years. The findings showed that 45% of Americans would give up social media permanently, ranking it fifth among potential lifestyle changes. Drinking a shot of kale juice every morning topped the list, with 49% willing to accept it. Stopping coffee consumption was close behind at 48%, followed by swallowing 10 supplement pills daily at 47%, and moving to a remote area with clean air but no nightlife or restaurants at 46%.
Other lifestyle changes respondents were willing to consider included meditating for two hours every morning (41%), giving up all junk food and alcohol (40%), doing 100 push-ups daily (34%), taking a five-minute freezing cold shower each morning (32%), and walking barefoot in ice-cold snow for 10 minutes daily (22%). The survey was commissioned by Drip Hydration, which provides services such as IV nutrient therapy and other wellness treatments.
Dr Neal Kumar, co-founder of Drip Hydration and a board-certified dermatologist, commented on the findings: “What we’re seeing is that longevity is no longer just about what you put into your body—it’s about what you’re willing to remove from your life. The fact that nearly one in two Americans would trade their digital lives for physical health suggests that the wellness of the future is as much about mental peace and digital detoxing as it is about cellular health.”
The survey also revealed differences by age and location. Among Americans aged 55 and older, 52% would abandon social media for extra healthy years, compared with just 29% of Gen Z respondents. Younger people were more willing to attempt physical extremes, such as walking barefoot in ice-cold snow, which appealed to 22% overall but resonated more with that group.
Regional variations were also evident. Boston, Massachusetts, and New Orleans, Louisiana, led the way, with 58.1% of residents in each city willing to delete social media permanently for 10 extra healthy years. Las Vegas, Nevada (54.7%), and Houston, Texas (54.2%) followed closely. Cities such as Columbus, Ohio (52.3%), Jacksonville, Florida (51.7%), and Memphis, Tennessee (51.0%) also exceeded 50%. At the other end, Philadelphia recorded 35.6% willingness, San Jose 33.3%, and San Diego the lowest at 23.8%.
The findings reflect a broader reassessment of modern life, with many Americans now prioritizing mental and physical health over constant digital engagement. While biohacking trends often emphasise adding intensive routines, respondents showed openness to removing stressors linked to connectivity. Experts note that excessive social media use is associated with anxiety, reduced sleep quality, and sedentary behaviour—all factors that can shorten health span.
The willingness to forgo social media entirely for proven health benefits indicates a growing public interest in balancing digital habits with wellness practices. Drip Hydration’s poll contributes to ongoing discussions about the value Americans place on health span over lifespan, as preventive wellness strategies continue to gain traction in 2026.