RECLAIM YOUR SELF-LOVE SUMMER

SOAK UP ALL THE SUNNY VIBES, NO FILTER NECESSARY.

- LISA DESANTIS

Pool parties, beach days, bestie bonding…let’s be honest, summer is basically your chance to create your own personal highlight reel.

But all of those good times can also come with a not-so-sunny side effect: comparing yourself to others.

“During summer, I feel like I have to present the best version of myself to others on social media,” admits Sierra S., 17, “especially when it comes to what I look like and what I’m wearing.”

Maya F., 18, agrees: “When I post a picture, I pick out little insecurities.”

So whether it’s staring at yourself through the Bold Glamour filter, feeling secretly envious of a friend’s outfits on her Insta stories or wondering how you look compared to the random people you see on your FYP, could the reason for all the negative energy be sitting in the palm of your hand?

It’s possible. A study done earlier this year showed that when teens and young adults reduced their time on social media, their body image significantly improved. If you’re struggling with self-love, help is here: Start by powering down your phone (just for 10 minutes, trust) and reconsidering how you’re spending your time.

TAKE A TOTAL SOCIAL MEDIA BREAK

OK, easier said than done, we know. But, as psychiatrist Dr. Evan Rieder explains, it’s key to your mental health: “Social media use is linked to low mood and poor self-image so, when necessary, I will recommend limiting use or a total detox.”

Consider all the reasons to say bye to IG/TikTok/Snap for the season: By spending less time on your feeds, you’re less likely to come across images and videos that plant negative seeds in your mind.