Is social media ruining our self-confidence?

If, like us, you'll often compare to the people you see online then you may need to break up with your phone or at least cleanse your feed a little bit.

We spend so much time on our phones but we don't stop to think about how it is impacting us both emotionally and mentally.

Her.ie recently chatted to psychotherapist Bethan O'Riordan about why so many people are getting cosmetic work and if social media really is to blame.

Bethan explained that there has been a noticeable increase in people getting work done and it may be because we're comparing ourselves to others more than ever before.

"More people are getting cosmetic work to feel better about themselves because of social media"

If you think about it, our mums' and grandmothers' generations weren't scrolling through social media. They weren't exposed to a plethora of flawless celebrities and influencers every ten minutes and only ever saw Hollywood stars on screen or in print.

"More people are getting cosmetic work to feel better about themselves because of social media and what some of society expects. But remember, life is about you setting your own expectations for yourself and who you are. 

"What's a realistic way for you to look? To be happy? To sleep well and have great relationships with friends and partners? Life is about having fun and if cosmetic work is part of this and it works for you then great," Bethan said.

She admitted she fears people are getting this work done but are ignoring deeper issues like a lack of self-confidence or other underlying issues.

She said, "Sometimes, people feel more confident after these procedures, but it doesn't always solve deeper issues with self-esteem.

"If someone feels their worth is only about how they look, they might not feel better for long. They might want more and more procedures, which can become a cycle. It's better for mental health to learn to accept oneself, find healthy ways to cope with problems and focus on personal growth beyond looks.

"Cosmetic work isn't a complete solution for deeper emotional issues," Bethan stressed.

Is it time for a social media cleanse?

Bethan suggested taking a long hard look at the accounts you follow and consider unfollowing the ones that don't make you feel good. Newsflash, unfollowing people on social media is not that deep and there's no harm in doing so if it's going to have a positive impact on your mental health.

"If you follow pages that leave you feeling worried or insecure about yourself, these aren't the right pages for you. Surround yourself with supportive people who value you for who you are, not just how you look.

"Engage in activities that boost your confidence and well-being, such as hobbies or exercise, for their mental and physical benefits. Lastly, practice self-compassion and remind yourself that everyone has imperfections."

Bethan O’Riordan is a psychotherapist specialising in parenting and co-host of The Mum Mind Podcast.

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