If you feel down when you compare your life to someone else’s, speaking with a mental health professional can help you break the cycle. For more than 75 years, Lincoln Psychiatric Group has helped Lancaster County, NE, residents manage conditions like depression and anxiety. Their experienced counselors and psychiatrists provide patients with the emotional or medical support they need to make the most of life.

In this technology-driven age, it’s easy to compare yourself to others. However, this habit can negatively affect your mental health. Whether you’re having a hard time sleeping, experiencing anxiety, or simply not feeling like yourself, there are a few ways to take a step back and stop comparing yourself to others

Take a Break From Your Phone

People scroll through social media throughout the day and see updates that may make them feel like they’re missing out. Maybe your friend just got a job promotion. Or your cousin is engaged and always posting photos of her partner. It can be hard to see everyone’s happy moments when you’re not feeling happy yourself. The easiest solution is to take a break from your phone. Try shutting it down for the weekend, or only logging onto social media for one hour a day. Find what works best for you—and remember, people rarely post about their hardships, so you only see part of their story.

Track Your Progress

Whether you’ve stuck to a clean eating diet or tackled a hard project at work, good things are happening, even when you’re feeling down. Instead of comparing your progress to others, take some time to record and reward yourself for what you’ve done so far. Write it down, so you can look at it when you need a confidence boost. Next time your boss praises you, or your family tells you why they are appreciative of you, give yourself a pat on the back.

Keep a Gratitude Journal

People often forget to be thankful for the little things on a daily basis, but if you take some time practicing gratitude each day, you might just find that you have a lot to be thankful for. Are you glad you finally got a good night’s sleep? Did your coworker tell you how appreciative they are when you pick up extra tasks? Record these moments in a journal. The next time you feel like you don’t measure up, look back and read the things that make you feel grateful.

If comparing yourself to others is impacting your mental health, call the compassionate team at Lincoln Psychiatric Group at (402) 476-7557 to schedule an appointment with an experienced counselor or psychiatrist. The team’s focus is on helping patients get back to a healthy state, you can trust that they have your best interest in mind. For more information on their services, visit their website.