As social networks spoil the mood?

"Comparison - a thief of pleasure." This sparkling truth former US president Theodore Roosevelt is relevant now. We, like everyone else, want to find the answer to the question: "Why do we constantly compare ourselves with others?»

Solution to the dilemma of all mankind in the 50-ies engaged psychologist Leon Festinger. He found out that by comparison, we can feel on top of success either with a bang "fall" off a cliff disappointment. The social environment is constantly spur us, we look at others and think, "Yeah, that's how it should be to live here go on vacation, and many times to pump the press." But somehow always forget that it is important to be yourself and do not copy invented the ideal society. Seriously, you do not want to be "like everyone else»!

The desire to compare catastrophically grows along with the development of social networks. With every minute watching the tape Facebook, Twitter or Instagram awakens in us the genius of soul-searching. After all, someone is now basking in the Canary Islands and floats on a snow-white yacht in the turquoise waters of the ocean, and we sit in the office or busy with household chores. And it seems that the whole world lives and having fun while we quietly stand aside. But it is likely that it is not so. And now someone is looking at our lives in social networks with the same admiration as we pictured its "right" and "perfect" friends and acquaintances.



Here's an example of how we impact on social networks. The girl no one invited to the dance. She stayed at home alone. The next day, her tape Facebook, a host of photos of the party. From their view finally dropped her mood and self-esteem fell below nowhere. All these smiling faces fancy girlfriends who danced all night with its cool guys make her feel unattractive. Nobody she was not told that someone mascara ran down, and someone was dancing too damn bad. Yet all was not as perfect as she thought of yourself. Social networks are built on a play of our imagination. And it's great, but the only question is, how does this affect our inner world.

Social psychologists conducted a study among 300 American students. 14 days straight guys provide reports on which it was possible to judge how often they sit in social networks and any symptoms of depression manifest them in those moments.

Results are as follows: the participants (men and women) who have spent more time to Facebook, showed higher rates of depression, which is exacerbated by the constant social comparison.

It's very sad, but we can not control the process of comparison, it takes place at an unconscious level. This problem is further compounded by the fact that people in social networks only show its positive side: embellish your stories, photos are passed through the filters. And once their tape becomes so attractive, just not tear his eyes.

But we forget that this is just a picture, just a few frames supposedly perfect life. The fact that our tape is not full of a bunch of photos with spas and self from the gym, does not mean that we are boring people who have absolutely nothing to tell others. It should keep something for yourself, and not to put on display dozens of people who are not even our best friends, frankly. Be true to yourself and know that you're probably in something better, what could be cooler?

Of course, we are not saying that Facebook, Twitter or Instagram - evil and not worth it to go there. But if your mood from watching all those happy couples, exotic travel, cute babies and flawless girls and guys getting worse and worse, then you always have the option to turn off the computer and go for a walk. After all, as Remarque said, "What would you no matter what happens - do not take to heart. Few in the world can be important for a long time ».