Does Social Media Give You Anxiety?
Social media is a lot to keep up with.
Social media can be an awesome thing! The funny videos, the choreographed dances, the lip syncs and photos of family and friends, can keep you engaged and laughing for hours. But it can also lead to a lot of comparison, a need to fit in and a craving for validation. Does the pressure to be entertaining and look perfect feel really overwhelming? It’s okay because you aren’t alone in feeling that way!
The pressure that comes from posting online can be really tough.
It's especially tough if you already struggle with perfectionism or anxiety.
We know that social media can significantly impact your anxiety levels. That need for validation can spiral into the constant comparison between you and everyone else. You might find yourself wondering if you’re good enough based on your likes and followers. You might spend so much time trying to get the “perfect” shot that you feel too overwhelmed to post at all, and then you’re nervous of what people will think of you if you don’t post. That back and forth is a lot for you to keep up with, and you end up spiraling into a lot of unhelpful self-talk.
You are more than your likes and followers.
We’ve all been there, refreshing our apps and hoping to see new notifications. Posting online is a form of vulnerability. When you post, you’re posting for people to see and react, so it feels satisfying and fulfilling when people react in a positive way. But sometimes, that need for validation can also be too much.
If you struggle with perfectionism, you might find that getting positive reinforcement from an Instagram post is the equivalent to succeeding. Or, your brain tells you that a certain amount of likes or followers means that you have “perfected” social media. So, when you don’t meet those benchmarks you’ve set for yourself, you may become more self-critical, or even just feel like a failure. Putting that amount of pressure on yourself would be hard for anyone to manage!
So, what can you do to help with anxiety from social media?
Limit your screen time.
It can be really easy to lose track of time and spend the majority of your day on Instagram or Tik Tok. And it becomes even easier to go down a rabbit hole and hop from one profile to the next and end up looking at pictures of your friend’s sister’s cousin’s brother that you’ve never even met. Give yourself some time away from the apps. Taking a break from social media gives you a chance to relax. It lets you be more present in the moment and focus on what’s happening around you as opposed to only what’s happening online.
Unfollow accounts that make you question your self worth.
Social media is meant to be a fun platform to connect with friends and family. If you find yourself only following influencers and celebrities that seem to have a “perfect” life, get more balance. It’s important to remember that those aspirational accounts aren’t real life. A lot of times, following these celebrities and influencers - and even just the popular kids at school - can lead you to hyper-focus on your body image, perceived success, and relationships. If there’s an account that is bringing you more dread than joy, try seeing what your feed looks like without them.
Remember that social media is a very curated view of reality.
Every photo is carefully selected then edited with either filters or facetune. And aside from just the editing, the only thing people post are happy moments. Because social media only shows a snapshot of someone’s life, you can easily be tricked into thinking your life isn’t as great as someone else’s. It’s important to remember that just because someone is smiling or laughing one moment, doesn’t mean they’re smiling or laughing every moment.
Our top tip? Ask for help!
There are so many variables to social media that make it impossible for you to control every outcome. Taking a break, unfollowing accounts, and remembering that social media doesn’t always show the full picture can be great starting points, but sometimes you might need some extra help, and that’s okay!
Talking with a therapist can be a great way to help manage your overwhelm and work on your self image. Our therapists at Compassionate Counseling St. Louis have a lot of experience working with anxiety and perfectionism in teens and college students, and they understand how big a role social media can play in negatively impacting your mental health.
If you find yourself struggling with the pressures of social media, and it’s starting to feel consuming, it’s probably a good idea to meet with an anxiety therapist. They can work with you to create healthier boundaries, and find a better balance between posting for fun and posting to succeed.
Lauren Goldberger is an MSW student at University of Missouri St. Louis, and the administrative assistant and intake coordinator at Compassionate Counseling St. Louis.
Curious to hear more about how we work with anxiety and perfectionism, or are you a little reluctant about counseling? Compassionate Counseling St. Louis provides specialized anger management and anxiety therapy in St. Louis for kids, teens, and college students. We work in Clayton, MO and work with age 4 and up throughout St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Ladue, University City, Town and Country, Webster Groves, Creve Coeur, Kirkwood, Richmond Heights, and Brentwood. You can set up your free phone screening to see if we’re a good fit for your needs right on our website.
Thumbnail image provided by: Priscilla Du Preez