Social media platforms have woven themselves into the fabric of our daily lives, boasting benefits like greater socializing, more opportunities for personal connection, and access to entertainment and information. We dedicate so much of our attention to these platforms, it's no wonder social media can start to influence the way we view ourselves. In this post, we will discuss the damaging effect social media can have on our mental health and some tips for a healthier perspective.
The Mental Health Effects of Social Media
While social media can be a source of joy and community, it can also contribute to feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Here’s how social media can tax your mental health:
Social Comparison
Constantly comparing ourselves to others online can be detrimental to our self-esteem. Whether consciously or unconsciously, we begin to measure our life against the lives of those we follow on social media. This can be harmful primarily because everyone’s social media presence is curated to some degree. People are usually only posting their very best moments on social media, whether it’s their most photogenic selfie, their most impressive life event, or the most aesthetically pleasing day in their life. But we bear witness to all aspects of our own lives, from the highs to the lows to the painfully ordinary days. When we start to compare our average days to other people’s stand-out moments, our lives can start to feel disappointing and inadequate.
So, the next time you find yourself envying someone’s Instagram story, remember, it is just that: a story. The things a person posts online are the story they want to tell about their life; the narrative they are writing about themselves that has been revised and edited to be the most pleasing, enviable, and impressive. There’s no shame in it; we all want to be liked, to believe our life is worthy of attention and praise – but we must consciously make the effort not to confuse this manicured content with true reality.
The FOMO of it All
In receiving these curated highlights of other’s lives, we can start to feel like we are missing out on certain experiences. Whether that’s due to a lack of energy, time, money, capability, etc. – sometimes it feels like the caliber of experiences others are having is something we could never achieve. This fear of missing out can take many forms: despairing that you’ll never have that level of lavish vacation, worried that you’ll never find that kind of relationship, depressed that you’ll never have that type of body.
Instead of languishing over what you’re missing out on, take stock of the things that you are grateful for. That may sound cliché, but once you consciously make a habit of viewing things through a lens of positivity and gratitude, you might find that instead of feeling jealous of someone’s life, you’ll be happy that they are happy. Instead of viewing their success as a measure of your failure, you can view it as an inspiration for the values and experiences you might want to prioritize in your own life.
The Prevalence of Criticism
There’s a reason why cyberbullying and online harassment are so rampant on social media. The easy anonymity and emotional shield of not having to speak directly to someone’s face can embolden people to make harsh comments with reckless abandon. The internet offers these critics protection from the social repercussions that would usually accompany this kind of behavior in the real world. This, combined with the internet’s tendency to dogpile criticism on a whim, means that even the most benign posts can garner unprecedented negativity and attention. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but many people feel the need to share their two cents where it is not warranted or wanted.
We cannot control how others engage with our social media presence, but we can control the degree to which we interact with it. If you find yourself stuck, ruminating on negative social media interactions, it may be time to silence notifications and take a break from the digital onslaught.
The Addictive Nature of Social Media
No one wants to admit that they are addicted to social media. But it can be truly difficult at times to find the willpower not to check in on our socials, after all, they are designed to keep us coming back for more. This compulsion to scroll can create a lot of problems. It can serve as a distraction from our priorities, not just at work but in our free time, filling our nights and days with content we won’t remember in an hour instead fulfilling things like personal projects and hobbies, or nourishing things like getting enough sleep.
It can also cause us to become socially disconnected from the people we engage with face to face. How many times have you caught yourself reaching to scroll on your phone while someone is trying to have a conversation with you? Or picking up your phone during any little awkward silence at dinner? Social media has created a false need for constant entertainment, urging us to feel dread at the prospect of a single moment of boredom.
To combat this, we can break the habit of reaching for our phones and instead take the moment to practice mindfulness: notice how the person you're talking to is trying to connect with you, notice your surroundings and the energy of the room, notice how you are feeling in the moment. You may find this helps you be more in tune with yourself, your present moment, and the people who matter most in your life.
Kicking Your Social Media Habit
The allure of constant connection and entertainment on social media is undeniable. However, the reality is that uninhibited use can significantly impact our mental well-being. From the insidious creep of FOMO and the relentless pressure of social comparison to the potential for cyberbullying and addiction, the negative effects are far-reaching. It's crucial to be conscious of these effects and understand that true happiness and fulfillment won't be found in endless scrolling.
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Emily McGuire is a Health and Wellness Writer for Resolve Wellness. She is a California native with a passion for writing, holistic wellness, and mental and physical health. She has earned a Bachelor's degree in International Business from UC San Diego.
Reviewed By: Erynne Hill, MS, ATC, HHP, BFRC, is a Holistic Health Practitioner and Nationally Certified Athletic Trainer who has been a part of the healthcare field since 2002. She is the Director of Resolve Wellness, specializing in manual lymphatic drainage and prenatal massage. Erynne has extensive knowledge of both massage therapy and physiology, receiving her Master's degree in Exercise Physiology from San Diego State University.
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