Comparing yourself to so-called perfect lives on the Internet is not healthy. Here’s how to stop

The first thing you need to do when you come face to face with the green-eyed monster while scrolling through social media is realize that nothing is real. It’s a “snippet of a moment, not the fully concrete reality,” said Janelle S. Peifer, a licensed clinical psychologist. YES. Realize that you don’t really know what it’s like to live in that person’s world. You only see what they choose for you to see, so of course it will be a beautiful sight!

It’s easy to create a fantasy in your head of what you think someone else’s life is like. You actually see a fraction of a second of their day. Instead, scroll through that app with a different mindset, understanding that the things you see on social media aren’t a complete representation of someone’s life, no matter how much it looks like it. Remember that the perfect life does not exist.

So, for your own sanity, clear that timeline. Unfollow or mute the ones that trigger your comparison habit and don’t regret it. We recommend following people on social media who fit your lifestyle best and who aren’t afraid to highlight the negative aspects of their lives, not just the exciting, glamorous and happy ones. When you pretty much eliminate your triggers, your social media experience will be much healthier.