Social Media and Self Esteem: How to Take A Stand Against Social Media

How to stop the mindless scrolling

By: Raquel Van Ry  

Recently, I was stressing about an upcoming deadline, so I did what any excellent procrastinator would do; I sifted through Instagram and mindlessly scrolled, liked and commented. Two hours later I'd watched Reels around the world but the deadline still loomed in my mind.

Social media is powerful, we can use it as a tool to express our creativity, to keep in touch with friends and family, and yes, it can be the perfect way to look busy. I’m not sounding any new alarms when I say many of us abuse it - and ourselves - by playing the comparison game as we scroll. 

Our self esteem is fragile at times, and it can be so easy to get caught up in jealousy or FOMO when you see your friend’s photos of vacations and artisan coffee. It seems like everyone on social media is having the best day ever all of the time, and that can put a damper on your mood. Chances are, they’re only putting the very best, most interesting pictures online because no one wants to seem boring. But perfection isn’t real, life is a circular series of lows and highs. There are studies that have found that feelings of depression and low self esteem are tied to social media use. So instead of scrolling mindlessly, take a break from your social media and invest that time back into yourself and your own wellness.

Use that time to process any negative feelings you experienced when scrolling through social media and try to be more aware and mindful of what is causing those emotions. Add some healthy snacks to your day or take a break from work to relax and move your body a bit. There are countless ways to engage in self care that will make you feel a thousand times better than social media could.

Our deep sleep kit is a great place to start if you’re looking for a boost, because after all, there’s nothing like a good night’s rest to re-energize your mind and body. The deep sleep kit is made up of a dynamic duo: lavender essential oil and almond oil. Lavender essential oil is the most popular oil when it comes to sleep as it calms the mind and body so you can enjoy a restful sleep. You can either add the lavender essential oil to a diffuser before crawling into bed, or combine a couple drops of it with some almond oil to rub on your temples, chest or body. Either way, the smooth, calming scent is a great way to naturally induce sleep.

Additionally, you should take steps toward making your social media account a more positive place. You can declutter your social media just like you might declutter a junk drawer. Unfollow people who don’t make you feel good about yourself and opt for accounts that post content that is motivating. Focus more on sharing bits of who you unapologetically are and forget about the likes and the follows. For more information on how social media can impact your self esteem and how you can change that, here’s an article that breaks it all down.