How Social Media Fuels Holiday Loneliness—and Ways Anxiety Therapy in Orlando Can Help
How Social Media Fuels Holiday Loneliness—and Ways Anxiety Therapy in Orlando Can Help
Written by: Lauran Hahn, LMHC
You’re at home, too worn out to do anything after a long day of juggling your job, personal or family responsibilities, holiday gift shopping, and everything else on your plate. You sink deeper and deeper into your sofa, scrolling through social media, and it feels like you're sinking into your soul, too. Post after post, it all looks the same—happy people who somehow seem to have it all together. Glowing faces, expensive outfits, glasses raised in celebration, and the Eiffel Tower sparkling in the background. The weight in your chest seems to grow heavier. You can’t seem to shake the feeling of unease—that sense of being on the outside, as if all the best things are happening to someone else.
If you've ever caught yourself comparing your real life to those polished posts and feeling like you're falling short, you're not alone.
As an anxiety therapist in Orlando, I often seek out helpful resources for my clients who deal with anxiety.
Right now, I'm reading a fantastic book called "The Anxious Generation" by Jonathan Haidt. It discusses how social media can be particularly damaging to teenage girls. I've been thinking about how social media can intensify feelings of anxiety and loneliness, so I wanted to share some ideas on that and what we can do to deal with it.
Social Media and the Impact on Holiday Loneliness
The Toll on Real-Life Connections
Obviously, the idea behind social media is that we are more connected. But in reality, social media often gives us a false sense of connection and can actually make us feel lonely and more isolated. Virtual interactions just don't satisfy our emotional needs the way face-to-face interactions do. Recent research reveals that 73% of survey participants identified technology as a significant factor in loneliness.
So, while we think we're connecting more, social media and being glued to our devices might be making us less connected in our real-life relationships.
Comparison
The other thing about social media is that there are a lot of comparisons. We constantly check out other people's profiles and end up comparing their lives to ours, often forgetting that those profiles show only what they want us to see.
And during the holidays? It feels like that pressure to compare gets turned up even higher. It's so easy to feel overwhelmed by social media during this time. Everyone seems to live in a picture-perfect snow globe. However, social media is far from reality. We often forget that people usually post when they're having a great time—like when they're traveling, partying, or looking their best. You don't see them sharing challenging moments, like feeling lonely, sad, laid off, or stuck at home because they're too broke to go anywhere and do stuff. People use social media to highlight their happiest moments, leaving out the messy, complicated, and very human realities we all experience.
Seeking Validation from Social Media
More scrolling seems to go hand in hand with feeling worse about ourselves. A study involving 500 adolescents aged 13 to 17 shows that the more time teenagers spend on social media each day, the lower their self-esteem tends to be.
Social media often pushes us to seek validation through likes and comments, sharing the details of our lives to feel valued and accepted. Teens who shape their identities are especially vulnerable to this. They may become fixated on their online reflections, seeking validation from friends and followers. This can lead to confusion about their self-concept. While it's natural to want approval, relying on it to feel self-assured can harm self-esteem, increase anxiety, and leave us feeling disconnected and unfulfilled—especially when that validation comes from strangers.
Social Media & Self-Esteem Challenges
When on social media, we often feel the pressure to showcase every detail of our lives, all while measuring it against the lives of others. Scrolling through feeds filled with sparkling celebrations and joyful gatherings can make you feel like your life doesn't measure up. Like you don't measure up. This can take a toll on your self-esteem, leaving you feeling isolated, anxious, and disconnected at a time when connection matters most.
How FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) Deepens Loneliness and Intensifies Isolation
Feeling like you're left out can increase loneliness and anxiety, especially during the holidays when it seems like everyone else is connected and surrounded by love and fun. Social media amplifies this, making it easy to feel like you're the only one missing out. Of course, you're not, but it's hard to remember that when you're on the platforms. This FOMO (fear of missing out) can make you withdraw even more, creating a cycle that deepens feelings of isolation.
An Orlando Therapist Shares Three Tips on How to Balance Social Media
1. Stay Authentic
In trying to make our lives look more glamorous and exciting than they really are, we often forget to be true to ourselves. Being true to yourself doesn't mean you have to go offline; it means being mindful of how you present yourself on social media and whether it feels authentic to you. Take a moment to ask yourself what you think about what you see online and why you post what you do. Does it inspire others? Does it add value to your life or someone else's? Or are you posting simply to seek attention and validation? Answering these questions can help you realize that true validation comes from within.
2. Take a Break and Connect with the Real People in Your Life Instead
Turn off your notifications, and spend time with loved ones. Put your devices away and have a real conversation. Check in with your partner, invite friends over, cook dinner for your family, or go out together. Real-life connections offer genuine appreciation that no digital likes can replace.
3. Practice Mindfulness Meditation
Most social apps are designed with endless feeds that keep you scrolling mindlessly. To deal with this, try the opposite. Mindfulness is a skill that helps you focus on the present, allowing you to notice what's happening while you're on social media. For instance, reflect on what's motivating you to keep scrolling. This can help you better understand your social media habits and help you decide if you need a break. It can also help you set boundaries around when, why, and how much you use social media.
Find Peace This Holiday Season with Mindful Living Counseling
At Mindful Living Counseling, we understand how anxiety and comparison can weigh on your mental health, especially when social media adds to the pressure during the holidays. We're here to help you find balance and peace. Through personalized anxiety therapy, we'll work with you to develop tools to manage these feelings, reconnect with yourself, and embrace the holidays with confidence and calm.
Interested in Anxiety Therapy?
Contact us today to learn how anxiety therapy at Mindful Living Counseling Orlando can help you regain control, find balance, and rediscover joy this holiday season.
Fill out our New Client Consultation Form.
Schedule a consultation call with one of our anxiety therapists.
Begin your healing journey!
Still Unsure About Anxiety Therapy?
Mindful Living Counseling is a team of anxiety therapists who are highly trained and excited to help you gain the tools you need to overcome anxiety. If you're not ready yet and just want some information, no problem at all. We've put together some great resources for you to enjoy.
Anxiety Therapy Orlando Resources
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New Year, New Book Guide for 2023
Anxiety Therapy Orlando: Setting Boundaries to Manage Holiday Stress
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Other Therapy Services Offered at Mindful Living Counseling Orlando
The Mindful Living Counseling team recognizes that anxiety is just one of the difficulties you might face. As a result, we offer a range of therapy services to meet various needs. Our therapeutic options include EMDR Therapy, Trauma Therapy, Teen Therapy, and Toxic Relationship Therapy. Additionally, we provide Guided Meditations for our clients.
About Anxiety Therapist Lauran Hahn
Lauran Hahn, LMHC, is a compassionate and skilled trauma therapist renowned for her expertise in aiding individuals to recover from toxic relationships and anxiety. As a Certified EMDR therapist and an EMDRIA-approved EMDR Consultant, Lauran employs innovative and evidence-based techniques to facilitate healing and empower her clients on their journey to emotional well-being. Beyond her profession, Lauran finds fulfillment in various activities! She is a mediator, passionate about running, and spending time with family!