Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

SOCIAL MEDIA BEAUTY STANDARDS
Social media empowers and connects us to our community but can also reinforce societal beauty standards and pressures that perpetuate self-doubt.

Have you ever met someone who was 100 percent satisfied with their life and their appearance?

Chances aren’t good—even the people you thought lead perfect, happy lives struggle with self-confidence. Beauty standards are constantly evolving, and whether these ideals are more inclusive of different forms of beauty or not, they affect every single person.

Studies from the National Center for Biotechnology Information show it is imperative for cancer patients to remain in high spirits and foster a positive outlook to encourage their bodies to heal. Just because someone is fighting cancer doesn’t mean their needs and desires to feel beautiful evaporate. Societal beauty standards hang over our heads like a storm cloud, and while on some days the sun may shine, other days may feel like we have been caught in a torrential downpour of self-doubt and deprecation.

From reflecting on my own insecurities and talking with friends and family, I’ve determined that social media is the trigger for most. As a social media influencer, it would be impossible for me to delete my internet presence. Even so, if I quit using social media, would all of my insecurities melt away? Probably not, but I know my insecurities wouldn’t weigh me down every day. Instead, they might come in the form of an occasional, light spring shower—a necessity to keep me progressing and growing, just like blooming flowers. Social media is a tool for community building and connection.

Rarely are things as they seem online. An image can be altered or staged, a smile could hide depression, and all of the followers in the world don’t necessarily equate to actual love or friendship.

So what can we do to embrace the positives of social media while also making it a safer space for our minds, bodies, and spirits, especially if a clean break isn’t an option?

Social media can take up a significant amount of my day. I had to implement some balance because there was no way spending eight hours a day on my phone was healthily impacting my self-esteem. I decided to mute all social media notifications. You can easily mute notifications by visiting your settings panel on any social media site. Usually, the platform will ask if you would like to “receive push notifications.” Switch that setting from on to off. My screen time went from eight hours to four in a week. My mind was instantly clearer.

Shift your mindset.

Social media is so impactful because it allows us to have a connection to people and places we might never have met. But it also serves as a breeding ground for emotionally damaging content. Therefore, the ultimate tool to block the social media noise is your own mind. Rarely are things as they seem online. An image can be altered or staged, a smile could hide depression, and all of the followers in the world don’t necessarily equate to actual love or friendship. It’s important to remind yourself that you have everything you need within yourself, and while you have your own battles, so does everyone else—even if you may not see it at first.

Users have the option to mute, snooze, or see fewer posts on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. My trigger was the Kardashians. I became obsessed with their beauty and constantly compared myself to them. It had to stop. So, every time a photo of one of them popped up on my Instagram feed, I would click the photo and the three dots on the upper right-hand corner of the post, and then select “see fewer posts like this.” I followed these steps for a couple of days until I didn’t see anything Kardashian-related on my feed. It may sound silly, but this action alone drastically improved my self-esteem.

Change your notification settings.

Social media can take up a significant amount of my day. I had to implement some balance because there was no way spending eight hours a day on my phone was healthily impacting my self-esteem. I decided to mute all social media notifications. You can easily mute notifications by visiting your settings panel on any social media site. Usually, the platform will ask if you would like to “receive push notifications.” Switch that setting from on to off. My screen time went from eight hours to four in a week. My mind was instantly clearer.

Shift your mindset.

Social media is so impactful because it allows us to have a connection to people and places we might never have met. But it also serves as a breeding ground for emotionally damaging content. Therefore, the ultimate tool to block the social media noise is your own mind. Rarely are things as they seem online. An image can be altered or staged, a smile could hide depression, and all of the followers in the world don’t necessarily equate to actual love or friendship. It’s important to remind yourself that you have everything you need within yourself, and while you have your own battles, so does everyone else—even if you may not see it at first.

Mute, block, snooze, and repeat.

Users have the option to mute, snooze, or see fewer posts on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. My trigger was the Kardashians. I became obsessed with their beauty and constantly compared myself to them. It had to stop. So, every time a photo of one of them popped up on my Instagram feed, I would click the photo and the three dots on the upper right-hand corner of the post, and then select “see fewer posts like this.” I followed these steps for a couple of days until I didn’t see anything Kardashian-related on my feed. It may sound silly, but this action alone drastically improved my self-esteem.

Change your notification settings.

Social media can take up a significant amount of my day. I had to implement some balance because there was no way spending eight hours a day on my phone was healthily impacting my self-esteem. I decided to mute all social media notifications. You can easily mute notifications by visiting your settings panel on any social media site. Usually, the platform will ask if you would like to “receive push notifications.” Switch that setting from on to off. My screen time went from eight hours to four in a week. My mind was instantly clearer.

Shift your mindset.

Social media is so impactful because it allows us to have a connection to people and places we might never have met. But it also serves as a breeding ground for emotionally damaging content. Therefore, the ultimate tool to block the social media noise is your own mind. Rarely are things as they seem online. An image can be altered or staged, a smile could hide depression, and all of the followers in the world don’t necessarily equate to actual love or friendship. It’s important to remind yourself that you have everything you need within yourself, and while you have your own battles, so does everyone else—even if you may not see it at first.

More
articles

On the lookout
Complementary Medicine

On the Lookout

Side effects aren’t always minor. Familiarizing yourself with your medications and symptoms can be a lifesaver in serious situations.

Read More »
SUPER CLEAN FALL
Clean Beauty

Super Clean Solutions: Fall 2021

There’s no such thing as being too prepared for winter! Soak up self-care with a splash of summer when using these beauty picks that’ll leave your skin and hair hydrated and hopeful.

Read More »
ASBESTOS AND MESOTHELIOMA
Cancer & Environment

Asbestos & Mesothelioma

Even naturally occurring asbestos can pose a health risk to unsuspecting populations. We explore what can be done to stay safe. The risks of commercial asbestos are well-known, but new research shows natural asbestos deposits could be just as dangerous.

Read More »
QUEEN OF GREEN
Complementary Medicine

The Queen of Green

Priscilla Vilchis uses her experience working in the health care industry to provide medical marijuana products to those who need it most.

Read More »
HEAD SCARVES
Fashion

Head Scarves

You never had a choice in your diagnosis, but that doesn’t mean your style must go out the window.

Read More »
DR KORDAI DECOTEAU
Breast Cancer

A Style of Mind

Never underestimate the power of a good outfit—or skincare routine or diet. Dr. Kordai DeCoteau believes style is more than just your clothing, and she’s helping warriors look their best to feel their best.

Read More »