Raise your hand if this is a familiar story…

The New Year has arrived, the gym routine is in full swing, lunch is prepped and packed for the week…You’re feeling good. Then after 15 minutes of scrolling through your social media feed, your stomach sinks. The realisation that no matter how many hours of spinning, or how many times you stick to chicken and vegies for lunch, there’s a standard that’s impossible to reach.

You’re not alone. With so many positive effects of social media it’s easy to forget about the impact it could have on your body image and self-esteem. A happy, healthier lifestyle, both physically and mentally, should be encouraged and celebrated. And social media should be a source of empowerment and motivation, not sadness and intimidation.

While it might seem impossible, here are some tips to navigate the unreachable body standards of the internet while continuing to focus on your own wellbeing.

Find a De-Stress Routine

Social media or not, life is going to cause you stress and a good, calming routine might help to rebound those daily curve balls. Meditation is a fantastic and easy-to-learn method to counter daily stress. Many Isagenix® Customers pair Essence by Isagenix Essential Oil with meditation for the ultimate soothing experience. Adding a few drops of Frankincense or Lavender to the Isagenix Cool Mist Diffuser creates a relaxing atmosphere that sets the mood for combating daily stress.

Remember Social Media’s Rose-Coloured Lens

Models and social media influencers are masters at making life look effortless, but many will admit that each post is picked from dozens of pictures and heavily edited before it goes out to the masses.

The next time you see a picture online and think ‘Ugh, why can’t I look like that?’ Remember that the person in the picture probably doesn’t look like that either. Lighting, camera angles and post-production apps are often used to touch up imperfections, even if the end result looks completely candid.

Manage Your Social Media Use

How much is too much? It depends on who you ask. The easiest way to prevent social media-induced anxiety is to simply limit your use. Of course, this is easier said than done, as most people will open social media habitually, but there are a few methods to help you step away.

  • Make a list of what you’re missing by spending too much time on social media.
  • Purge unnecessary accounts and groups that don’t add value to your life.
  • Don’t mindlessly scroll through your feeds just before you go to bed.
  • Delete your apps and only browse via your home computer.

Only Compare You to You

The biggest problem with comparing yourself to others on social media is that you’re comparing yourself to inaccurate information. When all you see on social media is the manicured happiness and success of others, it’s easy to feel isolated in your own challenges.

Instead of comparing yourself to others, find the only accurate information available to gauge progress – yourself. Celebrate wins against your previous self and embrace the challenges along the way, knowing everyone else is experiencing their own hardships.

Follow the Right People, Find the Right Support

Instead of quitting cold turkey, surround yourself with real people who will support you and hold you accountable to your goals. Thousands of people join the IsaBody Challenge® because of the support system it offers over its 16-week period and long after the Challenge is over. Surround yourself with people who both share your goals and champion them, and you’ll find they no longer feel impossible to reach.