There is just too much going on at the same time, and you are unable to focus on anything properly. It’s a base-level fear because it leads us to think if we miss out on this, we’re going to be excluded from future events with those individuals. The longer the phone rings, the more and software development team more you experience the fear of missing out. You feel that there is something important you are about to miss if you don’t agree with something. In this example, not picking up the phone immediately leads to this. Clearly, what we see of others online isn’t a full representation of their lives.

What is FoMO slang for? How the fear of missing out might be tanking your mental health.

That’s because, at any time of day or night, you can scroll through your feed and fixate on what’s happening in the world and what other people are doing without you. FOMO, or the fear of missing out, refers to the feeling or perception that other people are having fun, experiencing new things or living a better life than you. And while it most often pops up when you see or perceive these characteristics in people you love and you’re close with, it can also occur with parasocial relationships. When you see people you don’t know but follow on social media doing really cool things you wish you were doing, it can have a lasting impact on how you feel about yourself.

• FOMO characteristically involves uncontrollable thoughts related to missing something important and compulsive behavior (in this case, social media use) to try and counter such thoughts.
• Sharing your feelings of FOMO and working together to address them can strengthen your bond and alleviate the negative impact of social media on your relationship.
• This need for relief often leads people straight to their favorite social media apps.

How can Social Media Increase FOMO in a Relationship?

The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Health. FOMO involves perceiving missing out followed by compulsive behaviors to avoid missing out (Gupta & Sharma, 2021). People may overwhelm themselves with options to minimize missing out.

One study of young adults in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that the more time they spent on social media, the more likely they were to have symptoms of anxiety. Furthering that, a study in the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking found that people who have depression or anxiety tend to spend more time on social media. The more time you spend, the more depressed or anxious you feel. FOMO can also have a two-way relationship with other negative feelings, such as boredom and loneliness. If you’re feeling lonely, or bored by a task at work or school, for example, it can amplify your feelings of FOMO.

It’s not surprising that something as new and transformative as this technology would have complex implications on our daily lives, both positive and negative. Most people at one time or another have been preoccupied by the idea that someone, somewhere, is having a better time, making more money, or leading a more exciting life. For those who skew towards such feelings, smartphones and social media have made it easier than ever to track what others are doing. In 2013, the word “FOMO” and its definition were added to the Oxford English Dictionary. While social media can seem like an easy shortcut to community, it is a double-edged sword. It can provide a wonderful means of connectedness but is not to be used in lieu of all other human relation.

If you can’t meet in person, consider phone calls or video chats. Some research shows that teens with FOMO are more likely to engage in risky activities to fit in. You might participate in activities that are harmful, such as binge drinking, because you want to feel included. If this sounds like you, you’re certainly not alone in these habits.

How to avoid fear of missing out

Or store your phone in a backpack while you’re spending time with friends or at work. Journaling is a self-care practice that involves putting your thoughts, feelings, and experiences down on paper. You can use prompts to get started or simply just start writing and see what getting started with bitcoin mining happens. Journaling can help boost your mood and reduce feelings of distress. In terms of FOMO, it might also help you figure out what you’re actually worried about missing out on. It starts with developing a better understanding of yourself, including your feelings, motives, and values.

When experiencing FOMO, you have the urge to be connected to what other people are doing and compare yourself with them. This may lead to feelings of lower self-worth or self-esteem if other people seemingly have better life experiences than ourselves. It is common to post on social media to keep a record of the fun things you do. However, you may find yourself noticing a little too much about whether people are validating your experiences online. If this is the case, you may want to take some of your photos and memories offline and keep a personal journal of your best memories, either online or on paper. Adolescents and young people may be particularly susceptible to the effects of FOMO.

The team found that people experiencing FOMO were less likely to be getting those needs met elsewhere in life. As a result, their mood was poor, and life felt unsatisfying. FOMO is inevitable and something everyone will experience in some form at some point in their lives. Whether we let it shadow an occasional moment or let it overpower our lives depends on our resolve to focus on what makes us happy. As social media grows and shifts in its ability to influence our lives, FOMO is virtually impossible to avoid—but that does not mean it cannot be controlled.

Journaling

Spend your time reflecting on the rewards that you are working toward by staying in, focusing on your health, studying, or whatever you’re doing. Make plans to meet with friends in-person, then put your phone down. We may see an image of friends enjoying an activity together or of the perfect family taking the vacation we have always wanted. What we start to notice is that we are conspicuously absent from all the fun. Before long, we are spending more time on social media with the intention of confirming our deepest insecurities. But when you let your fears run amok, you can get caught in a cycle of social media addiction and negative emotions, unfairly comparing your life to other people’s lives.

It can be good for mental health to be thankful for everything you have already accomplished in life and the people in your life. With gratitude, you may be less tempted to seek out what others have on social media. Additionally, if one partner how to convert bitcoin into cash 2020 in a relationship excessively shares personal details or intimate moments on social media, it can create discomfort and insecurity in both individuals. This can invade privacy, raise questions about their motivations and priorities, and create pressure to conform to the idealized image they have portrayed.

Experiencing FOMO may make you feel like you aren’t as connected to the latest happenings and norms of society as you would like to be or “should” be. If you’ve ever sat at home wondering what you were missing, stared at your phone longingly waiting for a text, or struggled between choosing which event to decline on the same night, it might have been FOMO. This is partially because it is harder to feel you lack the things you need when focused on the abundance you already have. Some people manage and relieve FOMO on their own with some of the actions described here. But you might feel that you have no control over the FOMO – even after you’ve tried these things.