(WKBN) Now that Christmas is over, many families are probably starting to share the photos they took together in the group chat.
And if you cringe after seeing any pictures of yourself, you're not alone. A lot of people are critical of how they look-but why is that?
Psychologists say that our brains look for imperfections, and subtle differences in lighting and the angle of a photo can play a role. Photos being inverted from what we normally see can also make differences stand out.
Psychologists say that the best thing to do is practice being more positive to ourselves, and to speak about ourselves like we would a friend.
While it may sound counterproductive, they also say to make more pictures, it can create familiarity and reduce anxiety.
"Don't delete," said Cleveland Clinic psychologist Dr. Susan Albers. "Our self-image and negative bias may change over time. This is why when people look back at their photos, they're often surprised and say, 'I look really good.' and it shows that there is a gap between our perception of how we feel and how we look. That negative self-image may cast a shadow on the way we see ourselves."
Social media can influence our perception as well.
That's why it's important not to compare, and remember, what you see online isn't always real