If you've ever felt short on time and as though there aren't enough hours in the day, then you might be buoyed by the idea that you only need to do one simple thing to buy you nine extra hours a week.

Deleting Instagram could save you up to nine hours a week, if you spend anywhere near what the average user does on the social media platform.

All you need to do is delete the app to avoid mindlessly scrolling, then re-download it when you want to check the site.

Deleting Instagram could save you up to nine hours a week, if you spend anywhere near what the average user does on the social media platform (stock image)

All you need to do is delete the app to avoid mindlessly scrolling, then re-download it when you want to check the site (pictured: nutritionist, Jessica Sepel, who deletes Instagram twice a day)

The tip was first coined by artist, writer and filmmaker Miranda July, when she said in an interview that she deletes Instagram when she doesn't want to use it and uploads the platform occasionally to check in.

'I don't want to be filling all my in-between moments, when I'm not sure what to do next, with checking Instagram,' Miranda told Porter magazine.

'I need those moments. That's when ideas come.'

Vogue reported that the average scroll for many users may last around 10 minutes, and it may happen three times a day.

This means 30 minutes a day, at least six days a week, or 180 minutes a week.

But given that many experts say the time it takes to switch our attention from one task to another and back again means the cost of a 10-minute scroll is closer to 30 minutes, this may mean you're spending more like 540 minutes or nine hours a week on your Instagram.

Deleting Instagram will not only give you more time, but it will give you the space to be more creative and get things done (stock image)

Australian nutritionist and food author, Jessica Sepel, is a huge fan of deleting her Instagram page - so much so that she does it twice a day.

'Estimates show that around 40 per cent of the world's population use social media for around two hours each day,' Jessica posted on her blog.

'I check my Instagram and Facebook after I've performed my morning routine, and then I delete both apps around midday.

'I download the apps again in the late afternoon, check the latest updates, reply to comments, post stories and then delete the apps again.'

'I check my Instagram and Facebook after I've performed my morning routine, and then I delete both apps around midday,' Jessica Sepel (pictured) said

The nutritionist added that the results have been 'life-changing'.

'I've noticed that I'm a lot more present, I have more clarity of thought during my working hours and I don't have the anxious urgency to respond or engage with social media throughout the day, Jessica said.

She concluded that if you struggle with setting social media boundaries, then deleting Instagram could be useful for you.

It will also give you the space to use your time more effectively.