A picture of your friends on Instagram, at the new restaurant you wanted to try, all laughing and smiling. A celebrity, doing a makeup tutorial on Youtube, her face already perfect before she even starts. A TikTok of a destination wedding, dress, bouquets, decorations all exactly what you want for yourself. A picture of a friend on Facebook, showing off her gorgeous dress (and body.)
Sometimes these things on social media sites make you feel hopeful, happy and excited. Other times, it doesn’t. Maybe you find yourself feeling jealous, lonely, inadequate or out of touch.
With 72% of people using social media, it’s no wonder that a lot of our lives are focused on connecting with the online world. But what happens when we forget to connect with the real world? What happens when we never reality check ourselves and let these thoughts of unworthiness, loneliness and anxiety, creep in?
The Dreaded Comparison Game
When all we see are curated clips and pictures, we forget that they are exactly that. Curated; specifically designed content made for an audience on social media. Does it mean it’s reflecting real life? Not necessarily.
Instead, we find ourselves comparing our lives, our looks and our choices to what we see on social media. Thoughts like “Why don’t I look that good? How come my social life doesn’t look like that? Why doesn’t my career take off like that?” swirl in our heads. Imposter syndrome, the feeling of being inadequate, might take over, and you may not feel good enough.
All this boils down to is anxiety and low self esteem. Whether you are comparing yourself to colleagues, friends or celebrities, social media can raise your levels of anxiety about yourself and others and even lead to more mental health issues.
The Dreaded Comparison Game
When all we see are curated clips and pictures, we forget that they are exactly that. Curated; specifically designed content made for an audience on social media. Does it mean it’s reflecting real life? Not necessarily.
Instead, we find ourselves comparing our lives, our looks and our choices to what we see on social media. Thoughts like “Why don’t I look that good? How come my social life doesn’t look like that? Why doesn’t my career take off like that?” swirl in our heads. Imposter syndrome, the feeling of being inadequate, might take over, and you may not feel good enough.
All this boils down to is anxiety and low self esteem. Whether you are comparing yourself to colleagues, friends or celebrities, social media can raise your levels of anxiety about yourself and others and even lead to more mental health issues.
The Negative Effects of Social Media on Your Mental and Physical Health
So what exactly can happen when you spend too much time on your phone? Is it just feelings of anxiety, or actual symptoms of anxiety that crop up?
According to the National Center for Health Research, 25% of young adults social media users report some form of mental illness. Symptoms include:
- a feeling of listlessness
- head and neck strain
- sleep deprivation and insomnia
- anxiety about missing out, or FOMO (fear of missing out)
- social anxiety when faced with real life
- and the compulsive need to constantly check social media apps.
It’s important to realize that while social media can be a great way to connect with friends, family and the world around us, it’s also a risk factor to your mental health. If you find yourself neglecting yourself, others, your career or even your social life for the sake of immersing yourself in your digital life, maybe it’s time to rethink your habits.
Beat the Social Media Habit
I get it. Going cold turkey on social media is a lot to ask for. So guess what? I’m not asking for it. Instead, I challenge you to take a moment, while you’re scrolling through Instagram, checking out Facebook, or watching TikTok, and see how these social media platforms make you feel. Getting FOMO? Are you anxious and feel like you’re not as good as your friends, or those you follow? Does it make you feel left out? Unlucky?
If you’re feeling these things when you’re active on social media, maybe it’s time to take a step back. Why keep feeding that anxiety? Why keep experiencing imposter syndrome? Instead, recognize how social media is bringing you down and replace that time with something that uplifts you. Read a book, hang out with friends, grab a coffee, get some physical activity and go for a walk, try a new hobby or, really, anything else! Set a limit to how much time you spend on these platforms and see how your mood improves.
Need Help Overcoming Social Media Anxiety?
When it seems like everyone in your life is on some sort of social media platform and the only way to keep up is to join them on it, it’s understandably difficult to let some of that go. That’s where I can lend you a helping hand. I can help you recognize those symptoms of anxiety, decide how to best navigate the digital world to keep you healthy and happy, and ultimately learn how to relax and not worry about the crazy demand of the online world.
Therapy for anxiety, especially with me through CBT, is a way to recognize your anxious thoughts, turn them on their head, and tell yourself that you’re worth it. As an individual, your thoughts and feelings are unique, and as someone who recognizes that, I know that tools for one person may not work for the next. So together, let’s see how we can kick social media anxiety’s a$$ and navigate this crazy (and fun) world!
You Know That Nagging, Voice of Self-Doubt in Your Head? Tell It to Shut Up.
With therapy for anxiety, self esteem, or migraines, I can help you build an arsenal of tools you can use to achieve the life you deserve. Believe me. You got this!
Therapy & Coaching at Essence of Healing Counseling Services
Roberta Alves is a Therapist and Development Coach at Essence of Healing Counseling, located in downtown Ft. Lauderdale, FL. She is also a Certified Anxiety Specialist who uses the solution focused and evidence based therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy. Research has shown that cognitive behavioral therapy is proven to be extremely effective in treating anxiety and improving self-esteem. Roberta provides counseling services to her clients who live in Ft. Lauderdale and the surrounding South Florida areas in her office in downtown. If you want to learn proven techniques to overcome stress, improve your self-esteem, and achieve your goals, call (954) 526-4006 to schedule an appointment today.
