Many social media users feel dissatisfied, frustrated and low after scrolling their newsfeed. Given that a) we strive to present our best possible self on social media (e.g. by highlighting strengths and concealing weaknesses, by routinely editing our profile pics,…), and b) we tend to compare ourselves against others on social media, this does not really come as a surprise from a research point of view. If we try and measure up with idealised – often rather unrealistic or even fake – content, we may end up feeling interior, insufficient and unworthy, which is a very logical human reaction.
And although there seems to be a tendency amongst social media users to ubiquitously present themselves with a smile on their face (indicating a successful, happy life); a lot of us are enrolled in groups, where concerns, doubts, sorrows, and obsessions are shared that might over sooner or longer reinforce our own self-critical thoughts. 

One way out can be to reduce our overall social media usage and/or to take offline days. But this might be hard for someone who is used to routinely checking their newsfeed for a couple of times a day – and very understandably so. Therefore, I would like to draw out some ways to make your social media newsfeed a more positive and inspiring place. Because the good news is that we can, to a large degree, manage and control what we see on our newsfeed. Mindful exposure toward content that makes us feel good then can contribute to us feeling positively after scrolling our newsfeed.

And if we have the choice, why not expose ourselves to the good stuff?

Copyright: Zach Miko @zachmiko

Before we get on with creating a positive newsfeed, you might want to try and „detox“ your social media newsfeed from content that makes you feel negatively. 

First things first: See less of what makes you feel negatively

Reflect: What and who make me feel negatively when scrolling my newsfeed? 

Adjust your settings: Try and reduce this content, by either consciously unfollowing people/pages/groups or by editing your settings as shown in the  Facebook and Instagram screenshots below:

How can I edit my settings? To access your settings, simply click on the three dots in the top right corner of a post. Facebook then allows you to see fewer posts like the one you selected, to snooze someone for 30 days or to stop seeing posts from this person at all. Instagram – to date – does not offer a snooze function, but you can unfollow someone anytime.

Next step: See more of what makes you feel positively

Once you’ve reduced a bit of content from your newsfeed that makes you feel negatively, you can move on and deliberately add contents that make you feel good! 

Below are some suggestions of people and groups that I personally follow. I have tried to include a good mixture of individuals and groups with a focus on (body) positivity, mental and physical health, mindfulness, self-love, self-acceptance, and general life satisfaction. Most of them (if not all?) have faced and successfully overcome their own issues (e.g. mental health issues) in the past and aim to inspire their followers to live a well-balanced and self-accepting life that focuses on happiness and health rather than dieting, calorie-counting, self-restrictive and self-controlling behaviour, obsessive exercising, and self-loathe.

Megan Jayne Crabbe  (Body Positivity Activist, Author) Copyright: @bodyposipanda		Instagram:@bodyposipandaFacebook:@bodyposipandaWebsite:www.bodyposipanda.com
Turia Pitt (Athlete, Speaker, Author) Copyright: @turiapitt		Instagram:@turiapittFacebook:@turia.pittWebsite:www.turiapitt.com
Zach Miko (Designer, Actor) Copyright: @zachmiko		Instagram:@zachmiko Facebook:Zach Miko Facebook Account
Tess Holliday (Plus-size Model, Blogger) Copyright: @tessholliday		Instagram:@tessholliday@effyourbeautystandardsFacebook: @tesshollidayofficial
Taryn Brumfitt (Founder of the Body Image Movement) Copyright: @bodyimagemovement		Instagram:@bodyimagemovementFacebook:@bodyimagemovementWebsite:www.bodyimagemovement.com
Renee Engeln (Psychology professor, Speaker, Body Image Researcher, Author) Copyright: Renee Engeln		Instagram:@beauty_sickFacebook:@beautysickWebsite:www.beautysick.com
Lord Troy (Artist) Copyright: @lordtroy		Instagram:@lordtroy
Michelle Elman (Life Coach, Speaker, Author, Body Positivity Activist) Copyright: @scarrednotscared		Instagram:@scarrednotscaredFacebook:@scarrednotscaredWebsite:www.michelleelman.com
Jessica Smith (Speaker, Author, Mentor, Paralympian Swimmer) Copyright: @jessicasmith27		Instagram:@jessicasmith27Facebook:@jessicasmith27Website:www.jessicasmith.com.au
Jes Baker (Body Positivity Activist, Author) Copyright: @themilitantbaker		Instagram:@themilitantbakerFacebook:@themilitantbakerWebsite:www.themilitantbaker.com
Ryan Sheldon (Founder of „confessions of a binge eater“, Advocate for Body Acceptance & Self Acceptance) Copyright: @realryansheldon		Instagram:@realryansheldon
Jess (Blogger, Speaker) Copyright: @thefatfunnyone		Instagram:@thefatfunnyoneFacebook:@thefatfunnyoneWebsite:www.thefatfunnyone.com
Matt Joseph Diaz (Body Positivity Advocate, Writer, Speaker) Copyright: @mattjosephdiaz		Instagram:@mattjosephdiazFacebook:@mattjosephdiaz
Virgie Tovar  (Author, Podcast speaker)  Copyright: @virgietovar		Instagram:@virgietovar Facebook:@virgietovarWebsite:https://www.virgietovar.com
Celeste Barber (Actress, Comedian, Writer) Copyright: @celestebarber		Instagram:@celestebarberFacebook:@officialcelestebarberWebsite:www.celestebarber.com
Joe (Yoga Instructor) Copyright: Joe_lizzzzzz-yoga		Instagram:@joe_lizzzzzz_yoga
Dana Falsetti (Yoga instructor) Copyright: @practicewithdana		Instagram:@practicewithdana Facebook:@practicewithdanaWebsite:www.studio.danafalsetti.com
Jessamyn Stanley (Author, Podcast Speaker, Body Positivity and Health Advocate) Copyright: @mynameisjessamyn		Instagram:@mynameisjessamynFacebook:@mynameisjessamynWebsite:www.jessamynstanley.com
Kristina Bruce (Body Trust Provider & Integrated Life Coach) Copyright: @kristinabruce_coach		Instagram:@kristinabruce_coachFacebook:@kristinabrucecoachWebsite:www.kristinabruce.com
Amanda J. Bos (Food Freedom Coach) Copyright: @food_freedom_coach		Instagram:@food_freedom_coachFacebook:@AmandaBosFoodFreedomCoachWebsite:www.amandabosfoodfreedomcoach.com.au
Christy Harrison (Author, Podcast Speaker) Copyright: @chr1styharrison		Instagram:@chr1styharrisonWebsite:www.christyharrison.com
Jennifer Rollin (Eating Disorder Therapist, Founder of the Eating Disorder Center) Copyright: @jennifer_rollin		Instagram:@jennifer_rollinFacebook:Jennifer Rollin Facebook AccountWebsite:www.theatingdisordercenter.com
Nina Mills  (Intuitive Eating Counsellor) Copyright: @feelgoodeating		Instagram:@feelgoodeatingWebsite: www.feelgoodeating.com.au
Amberli Hartwell (Self-Empowerment Expert, Body Image Advocate, Author) Copyright: Amberli Hartwell (Facebook account)		Facebook (Group):„how to make a dream come true“ group Website:www.amberlihartwell.com
Vie Portland (Body Image and Self-Esteem Coach) Copyright: @vienesscic		Instagram:@vienesscicFacebook:@vienesscicWebsite:www.vieness.co.uk
Gillian Goerzen (Super You Health and Fitness Coach, Body Positive Fitness Advocate, Author) Copyright:@gilliangoerzen		Instagram:@gilliangoerzenFacebook:@superyoufitWebsite:www.superyou.ca
The Every Man Project Copyright: @theeverymanproject		Instagram:@theeverymanprojectFacebook: @theeverymanprojectmovementWebsite:www.theeverymanproject.com
The Moderation Movement		Instagram:@themoderationmovementFacebook:@moderationmovementWebsites:www.healthybalancefitness.com.auwww.lovewhatyoueat.com.auwww.lovewhatyoueat.com.au
„we are body diversity“ page Copyright: @bodydiversity		Instagram:@bodydiversity
„the body is not an apology“ page Copyright: @thebodyisnotanapology		Instagram:@thebodyisnotanapologyFacebook:  @thebodyisnotanapology
Nutriri  (Self Nurture Movement)Copyright: @nutriri_org		Instagram:@nutriri_orgFacebook:@nutririhappyWebsite:www.nutriri.org

I have also put together a list of books, links, videos and podcasts here.

Finally, I know that these are just a few suggestions out of many (thanks to all the amazing individuals out there who try and make our life a little bit better); I still do hope that you will find this post somewhat helpful.

If you have anything for me to add, please feel free to leave a comment below or message me directly (body-of-love@web.de). I will be happy to update this list as regularly as my busy PhD-student-Mummy-life allows me to. Thank you and much love x