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With the flux of social media over the last decade have you noticed your newsfeed flooded with photos of people whose lives look more exciting than yours? It might make you feel less than or like you’re missing out on something. This cycle of placing judgment on others and yourself often leads to negative emotions.
This month’s newsletter is about ending the cycle of envy and placing the focus on self-worth that comes from within and knowing you are enough.
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5 Ways to Maintain Perspective in the Age of Comparison
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 1. Ask Yourself: How does this serve me? It’s easy to get caught in the mix of the internet. Tabloids, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and even online shopping sites can lead to negative comparison thoughts. If you find yourself mindlessly clicking through websites, ask yourself “How does this serve me?” Chances are, there is a more constructive activity you could be enjoying. A phone call with a friend or sitting down to do something creative can get you back to a positive and productive mindset.
2. Think of Happiness. Envy can pop up when you see that your friend took a fabulous trip or a colleague got a new car. Push those feelings aside by taking a breath and thinking of the happiness in your life. Then think of the friend and have gratitude for the happiness in theirs. Their measure of success is not the same as yours. Your happiness depends on you and not on them. Separate your worth from their situation and be happy for them.
3. Build Confidence. Everyone has days when self-esteem is low. You may wish you were a certain weight, could afford to shop in a certain store, or were better at a certain skill. On those days, take time to focus on something that builds your confidence and makes you feel good. This could be exercising, cooking a recipe you’ve been wanting to try, helping your son with his homework, or getting a task done for work that you know you’ll feel great about finishing. Little accomplishments not only build confidence, but remind you of the greatness going on in your life. This helps you to stop obsessing about the future. Enjoy adding goodness to the present moment.
4. Consider the Curation. When most people post things on social media, they are doing so selectively. You never get a complete picture of their lives because they are curating what you see. Remember everyone goes through phases of life. So although you may envy what they post, they have a whole life behind the scenes and that life has ups and downs just like yours.
5. Get Inspired. Comparison is a slippery slope, but sometimes you can turn it into a positive. Use it as inspiration to achieve a personal goal. If you see someone doing a handstand and think “I wish I could do that”, then set a goal to make it happen! Or if you see someone talking about the great produce they got from their garden and want the same, use it as inspiration to start your own garden.
Remember your beginning will look different than another person’s middle. Enjoy your own journey.
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3 Simple Tips for Social Media
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 1. Turn Off Notifications. Self-worth shouldn’t depend on comments or likes in response to something you posted. Turn off the option to get notifications. Doing this removes the anticipation you might feel after posting something and the need to constantly check your status.
2. De-Clutter Your Newsfeed. Unfriend or unfollow people who don’t bring you joy or aren’t involved in your personal life. They could be friends from high school or people you met through an old job. It could also be someone who is overly negative or consistently starts controversial conversations that cause you stress. Make your newsfeed a positive environment.
3. Think About the Purpose. Social media serves different purposes for different people. If you simply want to stay in touch with your long-distance relatives, you may want to reconsider what you allow to cross your screen. There is nothing wrong with wanting to simplify and there is also nothing wrong with using these platforms for self-promotion. However, think about what you want the purpose to be in your own life and change your accounts to reflect that. |
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Blueberry Chia Breakfast Bowl
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Blueberry Chia Breakfast Bowl
 Recipe by Blueberry Council
Serves 2
Ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
- 2/3 cup low fat milk
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 banana, peeled
- 1/3 cup quick-cooking oatmeal
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
Instructions: In a blender or food processor combine blueberries, milk, maple syrup and banana; blend until smooth. Divide mixture among two serving bowls. Stir in oatmeal and chia seeds. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to thicken. Serve with your favorite yogurt and sprinkle with more blueberries |
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“What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
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ABOUT Allison Topilow
Allison Topilow, MS, RD, CEDRD, CDN, is a private practice nutritionist in New York City and New Jersey. In her private practice, Eat and Be Well, Allison specializes in eating disorders, weight management, pre/postnatal nutrition, family nutrition, and general wellness. She also counsels individuals seeking guidance for cardiovascular health, vegetarian nutrition, sports nutrition, diabetes, meal planning and disease prevention. Allison emphasizes making realistic lifestyle changes and will focus on healthful eating patterns, physical activity and behavior modification. Using a non-diet approach, she will help you to eat mindfully and intuitively. Allison will work with you in a nonjudgmental environment to learn how to listen to your physical hunger and fullness and develop a more healthful relationship with food.
152 Madison Avenue (at 32nd Street)
10th Floor, Suite 1000
New York, NY 10016
124 St. Paul Street
Westfield, NJ 07090
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| Copyright © 2015 Customized Nutrition Newsletters, All rights reserved. |
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