How Social Media and Summertime Can Contribute to Anxiety
Understanding the Impact of Social Media on Anxiety
Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives, but it can also be a significant source of anxiety. The constant comparison to others can lead us into an insidious spiral of negative thoughts. It's easy to find ourselves thinking, "I don't have their body," "How are they on holiday again?" or "Everything seems perfect for them." This perpetual comparison can be mentally exhausting and damaging to our self-esteem.
To combat this, I consciously limit my own social media use, try stay active, and remain mindful of my scrolling time. I’m not perfect but I try. By doing so, I aim to minimize the impact that glimpses into other people's lives have on my mental health.
Summertime: A Trigger for Anxiety
Summertime can be particularly triggering for some individuals. Social media feeds are often flooded with carefully curated snapshots of vacations, beach days, and seemingly perfect summer activities. According to some studies, "Summertime Sadness" is a real phenomenon (and not just a Lana Del Rey song). The heat is linked to mood dysregulation, as extreme temperatures can disrupt cognitive functioning. Moreover, longer days can lead to Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) for some people.
When we think of SAD, we usually associate it with the winter months. The decreasing sunlight and colder temperatures can significantly impact our mood. However, longer summer days can also interfere with our bodies. Reduced melatonin production and disrupted sleep cycles are common during this season, which can contribute to feelings of anxiety and sadness.
Coping with Summertime Anxiety
Managing summertime anxiety involves understanding the science behind our feelings. It's helpful to recognize that our thoughts can often be our worst enemies. When anxious thoughts arise, it can be beneficial to zoom out and view the situation with intrigued detachment. I often refer to this as adopting a "bag of bones" perspective, which might sound grim but can be quite effective.
For example, imagine someone walking past a pub beer garden full of people enjoying themselves. Let's call her Claire. In that moment, Claire feels inadequate and sad because she's not at the pub with friends. She forgets that she had an amazing time at a birthday party with close friends last night, has plans with another friend tomorrow, and will enjoy a cosy night in with her boyfriend and dog tonight. The combination of the warm weather and the lively atmosphere at the pub triggers her feelings of sadness and loneliness.
Finding Balance and Perspective
As a therapist, I believe in finding a balance between recognizing that others may be worse off and working on perspective. Telling someone like Claire how great she has it can come across as dismissive. Instead, helping her to zoom out and see the bigger picture can be more effective. For instance, Claire might remind herself, "I know I'm feeling a bit of summertime SAD because these thoughts often come when I'm scrolling through social media. It would be nice to be at the pub right now, but this might be more about physiology than reality. It's also likely that many others in my neighborhood are at home tonight, cooking and relaxing, just like I am."
Social media and summertime can both contribute to heightened anxiety. By being mindful of our social media use, understanding the effects of longer days and heat on our mood, and adopting a broader perspective, we can better manage these feelings. Remember, it's okay to feel anxious, but with the right strategies, we can navigate these emotions and maintain our well-being.
