How social media affects women and their mental health – KHOU.com

HOUSTON Social media can make you feel all sorts of ways. Edited and flattering photos can create a false sense of reality, which can take a toll on your self worth.

Women, in particular, are at risk.

"What we know is that women, in particular, seem to be more and more focused on their appearance to the detriment of their mental health," Dr. Laurel Williams said. "The more that youre in social media in that kind of way, the less fulfilled you are because youre always chasing after somebody else whos life looks more perfect. Nobodys life is perfect. Everybody could do themselves a favor by stepping back from it a little bit."

Williams works with people who mentally struggle with social media, and the issues that come along with participating. She said it's difficult for some people to understand what's real and what's not.

"Thats the big thing, is really helping people distinguish between what is most likely not real and what is reality," Williams said.

Williams said you can create healthy habits by doing three things:

"Being actually just mindful of how you are feeling is very important," Williams said.

Exhaustion and stress can play into how we feel as we scroll.

"The idea, honestly, is that if you cant stop thinking about social media, or let's say youre stopped in your car and youre realizing you need to check something on your phone, that might be a sign that youre a little bit too engaged with social media," Williams said.

Williams said to avoid social media while driving and right before bed.

Williams said if you're feeling helpless, hopeless or anxious after checking your feed, you should talk to someone.

"I think its the human condition. We want to be seen. We want to be heard. We want to feel that we are influencing other people. Its a very natural state of human beings, to be socially-connected," she said.

There are positive things that come out of social media connections, from neighbors coming together to help each other to posts that cause real change.

"I have many stories of young people whose lives were saved because they were able to connect on social media in ways that in the real world they werent finding the connections that they needed. So its not all bad," Williams said.

She said it's about finding a balance that works for you and the people you love.

"Well, yes, you have 3,000 likes, but if youre in a moment of crisis and your car broke down, whos going to come pick you up? Thats a true social connection," she said.

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How social media affects women and their mental health - KHOU.com