Introduction 

One piece of advice that we come across a lot throughout our lives is “Do not compare yourself to other people”. This article explains why we compare ourselves to other people and what effects it has on our mental health. 

 Why we do it 

Comparing ourselves to other people is a natural impulse in our brains. Everybody does it but to different extents. Not only do we compare ourselves with other people, but we also compare ourselves with our former selves. We compare ourselves regarding our knowledge, wealth, bodies, abilities, and much more.   

The positive effects on our mental health  

By comparing ourselves with other people, we get a sense of what we want in life and where we are right now. It can become one of the greatest motivations to become a better version of ourselves. Comparisons enable growth and allow us to see how we measure up with our peers. It inspires us and teaches us uncovered things about ourselves.  

The negative effects on our mental health  

 Although comparisons can have a positive influence on our lives, it is without doubt that they are a  dangerous tool for our mental health, depending on how we deal with them. Comparisons can easily trap us into the mindset of not feeling good enough. It can lead to low self-esteem and, in extreme cases, anxiety and depression according to psychologists. Ultimately, we can develop jealousy and anger toward the people we compare to. We can become angry with ourselves and feel discomfort with ourselves as a  person and our appearance.  

The difficulty due to social media 

Social media has many benefits for society, as it provides access and connection to people, information,  and opportunities that would previously not have been possible. But more research is showing that using social media more often can cause depression and anxiety, poor sleep, low self-esteem, and worries about how we look. This is especially true for teenagers. 

Conclusion  

Comparing yourself to other people is completely normal. It is a born instinct, as many researchers have proven. Therefore, you should not feel bad about it. Nonetheless, it is important to know that what you see on social media is sometimes very superficial. While you may see the bright side of other people’s lives, you do not see the dark side. We become fixated on what we do not have rather than on what we do have. It is up to us to navigate comparisons. So accept comparison in your life; use it in a healthy way to serve you and your best self.