Let's face it, social media can be a dangerous game. We innocently scroll through our feeds and suddenly our own lives don't seem quite as glamorous as the highlight reels we're witnessing. What a bummer!

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We start to compare ourselves to others and before we know it, we're spiraling into a pit of self-doubt and misery. But hey! Chin up, there are ways to break the cycle and regain control of our thoughts and emotions.

First things first, let's address the elephant in the room: social media is not real life. The curated feeds we scroll through, are carefully crafted to showcase the best of the best. The fancy vacations, the designer clothes, the picture-perfect relationships- it's all smoke and mirrors. Remember, you're only seeing the edited version of someone's life. The behind-the-scenes struggles, the bad hair days, the moments of self-doubt- those are left out of the picture.

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But even knowing that, it's hard not to fall into the trap of comparison. We see our friends living their best lives, and suddenly our own lives don't seem quite as exciting. Here's the thing though, you don't know what's really going on when the camera is not recording. You don't know the struggles that person may be facing. So we should really make it a point to stop comparing our behind-the-scenes to someone else's highlight reel.

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Now, let's talk about the impact this kind of thinking can have on our mental health. Constantly comparing ourselves to others can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. It can make us feel like we're not good enough and that our own lives aren't measuring up. It's a slippery slope that can lead to depression and anxiety. Studies have found undeniable links between high use of social media and poor mental health, but one of the most telling pieces of research has gone as far as to try and anticipate depressive disorders in people based only on their social media posts. By analyzing a person's tweets, they were able to predict depression with up to 70% accuracy.

So, what can we do to prevent falling into the comparison trap

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Limit your social media time: Set specific times of day for checking your feeds and stick to them. Less exposure gives us the opportunity to have the right perspective when looking at social media.

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Unfollow accounts that make you feel bad about yourself: It's time to unfollow that “friend” who's always posting about her perfect life and perfect kids. Chances are, you’re not gonna miss any important information by unfollowing them.

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Remember that social media is not real life: Keep in mind that you're only seeing the edited version of someone's life. It may look "natural,"  but that’s the point, it was perfectly planned out to look that way.

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Find joy in your own life: This is probably the most important one. Instead of constantly focusing on what others have, find joy and gratitude in your own life. Put that newfound free time you've gained back from limiting your time on social media to good use on real-life activities that make you feel wholesome and grateful.

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Talk to someone: If you find yourself struggling with feelings of inadequacy, reach out to a friend or professional for support. And no, you should not feel ashamed! This is a lot more common than you might even begin to believe.

In conclusion, social media can be a dangerous game if we're not careful. Remember, you're only seeing the edited version of someone's life. Don't fall into the trap of comparison, it can lead to negative thoughts and emotions. Instead, focus on finding joy and gratitude in your own life, and don't be afraid to reach out for support if you need it.