Episode Details

In this episode, we discuss the impact of social media on mental health, focusing on the concepts of social comparison and social savoring. One route that social media can take to tank our mood has to do with social comparison, where we evaluate our own worth based on others. However, the negative impacts of this can be reduced through the practice of social savoring, which aims at deriving joy from other's experiences. We'll talk about how this approach can help us shift our personal story-telling in such a way that actually boosts our mood.

Key moments:

00:00 Introduction to Joy Lab Podcast 00:39 The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health 02:41 Understanding Social Comparison and Social Savoring 06:56 The Role of Social Media in Social Comparisons 10:39 The Power of Changing Our Social Media Narratives 16:50 The Role of the Prefrontal Cortex in Managing Emotions 19:26 Closing Thoughts and Wisdom from Thich Nhat Hanh 19:54 Outro and Disclaimer

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Sources and Notes:

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• Fardouly J., Pinkus R., & Vartanian L. (2017). The impact of appearance comparisons made through social media, traditional media, and in-person in women's everyday lives. Access here.
• Corning, A., Krumm A., & Smitham, L. (2006). Differential social comparison processes in women with and without eating disorder symptoms. Access here.
• Pinkasavage E., Arigo D., & Schumacher L. (2015). Social comparison, negative body image, and disordered eating behavior: the moderating role of coping style. Access here.
• Myers, T. & Crowther, J. (2009). Social comparison as a predictor of body dissatisfaction: a meta-analytic review. Access here.
• Seabrook, E., Kern, M., & Rickard, N. (2016). Social networking sites, depression, and anxiety: a systematic review.

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