Ever feel stressed while using social media? Is it hard for you to not compare yourself to others? Do you feel like you can’t live up to the standards set by social media? Use these tactics to see if your confidence remains, regardless of the use of social media.

1. Follow who YOU want to follow

This may sound obvious, but you don’t need to follow anyone. Just because everyone follows Alexis Ren and the Kardashians, you have no obligation to watch these people’s lives through a screen. If Alexis Ren’s dreamy vacation photos just make you feel bad about skipping the gym yesterday, it’s not worth it. Unfollow the accounts that negatively impact your mindset, and use social media to stay connected with people, laugh at memes, and see posts from people who inspire you.

2. Find a routine

In my experience, I found that the rise of social media also brought up a rise in body image issues. While this correlation may not exist for everyone, the way that I dealt with the insecurities that came out was through finding a routine that worked for me. In the past, I worked out for the sake of working out. I was told working out was “good for me,” and images of stick thin, ripped female trainers filled my feed. As a result, I would go to the gym, step on the elliptical or stair climber and watch the calorie count or distance rise. It took me a while to realize that this form of exercise was not healthy for my mindset or my body. I personally was able to find a healthy balance through group exercise. I found that I loved group classes such as yoga, pilates, and high intensity interval training; in these classes, my mindset completely shifted. I no longer exercised to watch the calorie count increase, but exercise became a way to release stress and enjoy myself along with my peers. I am not advocating for everyone to try group workout classes, but I am hoping individuals find a way to stay healthy that works for them and their bodies. Finding a routine that works for your body helps to combat the images we are flooded with from the media.

3. Compliment others and yourself

“Treat others the way you want to be treated,” the phrase we were all told as children. Little did I know that this phrase pertains to much more than simple childhood respect and friendliness. Complimenting and encouraging others changes culture. It not only makes you feel good about yourself, but it can prompt others to speak positively as well. Girl culture has an absurd amount of negativity. We are scared to be confident and bold for fear of being seen as conceited and arrogant. However, we shouldn’t be! Speak highly of your own accomplishments as well as others’ accomplishments. Challenge yourself to compliment someone you don’t know well on social media every day. Make social media platforms positive.

4. Put your phone down

Not to sound like a parent, but sometimes, taking a cleanse from social media can help you look up and see all the amazing things you can do away from the screen. Go for a hike, drive to the beach, kick a soccer ball around. Part of growing up in the generation of social media is learning how to balance social media use.

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