The unreal is more powerful than the real. Because nothing is as perfect as you can imagine it or see on Instagram. Moreover, comparison is the thief of joy!
Where social media gives you a sense of being important it can put you in false reality as well of having a million Fb/Instagram followers.
Even for a trip to the gym. If you’re self-conscious of your body, watching fit people strut their stuff in their tightest fitting gym clothing likely to get you over analysing yourself. You find yourself comparing all aspects of your life, both internal & external, to a person you have never met regardless of how illogical these comparisons may be, our emotional responses to such images can be so strong that they completely overpower our sense of logic.
Let’s be honest -comparing yourself to people does nothing but hurt you. Perfect in this world does not exist! None leads a perfect life & the perfection you see on social media.
We as bloggers also have a darker side to life which we sometimes don’t put out online. Wearing those heels for hours on a shoot day/night definitely leave bruises but none sees it! We also get bloated tummy-truth is we all do at some point. Bloating happens to everyone but we tend not to show our tummies that day! We have our off days too when all we want to do is stay a little longer in bed but then we have deadlines to meet!
I sincerely hope that no one ever comes to my blog & feels like she isn’t good enough because it seems like “I am perfect. I too have a whole lot of stuff going on in my life. I have to manage my blog, our creative agency, create content & what not. I have my meltdowns too! I do get acne while I am pms-ing. The period cramps are terrible for me! I work from home, some days what I’m wearing is so utterly uncoordinated that I’m ashamed to answer the door. I don’t look like my Instagram post always! I still take 40,0000 pictures for that perfect shot!
In between all this, the social media stress isn’t uncommon, but when left unchecked, it can lead to bigger problems. Studies have suggested that social networking sites are more likely to report psychological distress. While it does give us a platform for self-expression and self-identity, it also associates with high levels of anxiety, depression, bullying and FOMO, or the “fear of missing out.”
Considering the amount of time people dedicate to their social media , it’s important for them to be able to navigate in a way that reduces stress, rather than exacerbates it. Here are some tips you can follow to deal with the related mental stress :
– Know the signs of a problem
– Take frequent breaks
– Limit when & where you use social media
– Have digital detox period
– Make a to-do-list beyond your social media life
– Set goals but don’t be too harsh on yourself
– Identify triggers
– When online, indulge in posts/ activities that bring out positivity
– Meditate
– Indulge in some form of physical activity
– Get help!
Know that, what matters the most is your mental peace…everything else can wait!
Tell me if you have also experienced social media stress?!
#RealTalk
