The answer may be – Yes. A study from 2021 found that for a vast number of individuals using Instagram, felt worse about themselves, which contributed to increased depression and anxiety. This was in part from people constantly comparing and evaluating themselves in relationship to others. The study found (this won’t sound too profound), that this is bad for your health.
A study reported in the “Journal of the American Heart Association” found that people who rated their social status as lower than others had “higher blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and body mass index, raising their risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes.”
I want to suggest three things that can help counter-balance this:
- Perhaps, take a break from social media. Some of my most emotionally healthy friends spend no time on social media and aren’t missing out on anything.
- Spend more time with your real-life in person friends. Whether it is a small community group or some type of support group, those person-to-person connections are much more likely to keep you grounded.
- Find your true “ranking” or identity in the only place that is accurate and that is in knowing Christ Jesus as your redeemer.
You see, I can always find someone to compare myself to – I may momentarily feel better about myself or worse. But when I humble myself before God, I recognize what a complete failure I have been at “having it all together.” Yet God loves me so much that He redeems me through my faith in Jesus and then sees me through those eyes. And what He sees is perfection. It doesn’t get any better than that. If you are not a Jesus follower, I encourage you to consider a relationship that will never leave you depressed or anxious.