Social Media Anxiety: 6 Ways to Deal with Judgment and Build Confidence Online

Yesterday, I had my photo taken and I kid you not it took hundreds of shots to get the right one. It really drove home to me how much effort goes into a “perfect picture”. In our day to day we are bombarded by perfect images and whilst most of us have an awareness that these images are airbrushed, posed, faked etc. we often forget it in the moment. We cannot help but constantly compare ourselves to other people.

Social media has changed how we connect and share our lives. Social media brings us together, but it can also lead to huge feelings of stress and anxiety.

Understanding Social Media Anxiety

Social media anxiety is the fear of being judged, criticised, or misunderstood online. It's something many people struggle with, as we face constant exposure to comparison online.

Social media can put pressure on us to look perfect. We see curated posts showcasing the highlights of people's lives. Then we compare ourselves to those others, causing stress and self-doubt.

When my patients are trying to improve their anxiety or self-esteem. I often suggest they do a social media detox and every single person reports the benefits to their wellbeing.

The following six techniques can help you handle social media anxiety and build confidence online:

1. Mindful Social Media Use

Think before you scroll. Begin by approaching social media mindfully. Be conscious of how it affects your emotions and self-perception. Setting intentions before using social media can help you engage with it more intentionally. Do not follow people or accounts that are unhelpful to you.

2. Challenge Negative Thoughts

Don't believe everything you think. Challenge your negative thoughts and assumptions related to social media. Consider alternative perspectives and question the validity of your fears. Your self-worth is not defined solely by other's virtual judgments. This can be really hard to do by yourself and anxiety therapy can help you.

3. Be Kind to Yourself

Embrace your imperfections. Foster self-compassion by treating yourself with kindness and understanding. Embrace the fact that nobody is perfect, and it's okay to have imperfections. Practice self-acceptance and gratefulness.

4. Set Boundaries

Don't let social media take over your life. Establish healthy boundaries with social media. Allocate specific times for engaging with online platforms. Avoid excessive scrolling during vulnerable moments, such as before sleep.

5. Prioritise Real Connections

Face-to-face time matters. Prioritise real-life connections. Engage in meaningful face-to-face interactions with friends, family, and loved ones. These connections provide genuine support and fulfilment beyond the virtual world.

6. Talk to Someone

If you are struggling with social media anxiety, consider seeking anxiety therapy. An anxiety therapist / psychologist can help you explore any underlying factors contributing to your social media anxiety. Addressing deeper emotional issues may improve your overall well-being.

Dealing with social media anxiety is possible. In order to do this It is really important to deal with the underlying concerns whether it’s your body image, self-esteem, loneliness, relationship difficulties or many of the other aspects of life that social media can make worse.

Struggling with Social Media Anxiety?

If anxiety is interfering with your daily life and you are looking for support, please get in touch. You can book an appointment through the contact page. https://www.drsheenakumar.com/contact