Are influencers impacting your self-worth?

Have you ever sat scrolling your phone, taking in other’s luxurious lifestyles, and ended up feeling worse about yourself than you did before? That’s completely normal and it can be a deeply painful experience! Social media has drastically transformed the way many of us communicate, express ourselves, and receive information. And that’s why it’s important to get a better understanding of how we are being impacted by digital influencers. 

Influencers are people who have a large following on social media platforms and are effectively influencing, for better or worse, the opinions and behaviors of their followers. They can be seen as trendsetters with aspirational lives who have an effect on everything from what we buy to the way we talk. 

As you likely know, influencers often present a perfectly curated, unrealistic version of their lives, which can lead to unhealthy comparisons. And while influencers can have a positive impact on their followers, promoting messages like mental health support or body positivity, it can be helpful to simply notice the power that they hold. 

How to feel your best on social media 

By becoming more mindful online and creating healthier habits, you can begin to take note of how influencers and digital content may be impacting your emotions and actions. Here are some tips to help you get started: 

• Simply notice how you feel after scrolling. It’s time to get real about your relationship with social media. After spending time online, take a moment to notice how you feel, what you enjoyed most about it, and what made you feel not so great. It can be helpful to journal or talk to a friend because navigating social media can be difficult and confusing for all of us.  

• Recognize real life versus social media content. Influencers often present an altered version of reality online that does not include the real, messy aspects of life. They are also often paid to promote products, so their content may be influenced by sponsors. Influencers can also encourage unrealistic beauty standards thanks to filters, as well as materialism by urging followers to buy products that they endorse. Be sure to note when content does not reflect reality.
  
  
• Catch and replace unhelpful thoughts. Begin to notice your thoughts as you scroll social media. Does that voice inside your head sometimes say critical things like, “I wish I looked like that” or “I’ll never be able to afford clothes as nice as theirs.” It’s completely normal to compare ourselves to others, especially when their lives look perfect online, but these thoughts can take a toll on our confidence. Once you’re able to notice these unhelpful thoughts, try flipping them into more helpful ones like, “I love the way I dress” or “I know that this stuff isn’t real, and I like the way that I look.”  It may feel forced at first, but simply noticing and negating unhelpful self-talk is a powerful way to help you feel your best.
  
  
• Clean up your feed. Clean out the clutter from your social media feeds, just like you’d clean out your closet. Take notice of what accounts and content are bringing you joy or inspiration, and which ones are causing you to feel like you’re not measuring up. Could you follow more accounts that focus on something you love, like art or nature? Unfollow, block, or mute any content that is no longer making you feel your best. 

• Take tech breaks. Social media platforms are designed to keep us scrolling so it’s easy to spend hours online each day. Create limits surrounding devices and set screen-free times and zones both inside and outside of your home. It can be helpful to establish morning and evening routines that revolve around relaxing activities, instead of endless scrolling sessions. And prioritize real-life activities and connections with others. 

Social media can be an excellent way to connect with others, but it can also have a negative impact on the way that we feel. Be sure to check-in regularly with yourself surrounding digital experiences. If you could use some help in navigating tech, the team at Bend is here to support you.