February 11, 2024
Written/Edited by: Andrea and Fidha
What is FoMO?
FoMO, or the Fear of Missing Out, is a common anxiety that is characterized by the anxiety that surrounds daily emotions and activities. Especially in the current season of Valentine’s Day, many of us find ourselves engulfed by the fear of not having as much fun because we may not have a valentine or that our Valentine’s Days will be as exciting or extravagant as others. Nevertheless, it is a very normal emotion that nearly everyone experiences. In order to combat this feeling, let’s talk more about how it affects us and ways to overcome the fear.
FoMO on Social Connectivity and Emotional Well-being
FOMO is a negative emotional state resulting from unmet social relatedness needs; it may exist as a state of mind that leads the individual to feel a deeper sense of social inferiority, loneliness, or intense rage (Gupta and Sharma, 2021). Today, as an average human spends about 147 minutes on social media, people are exposed to a lot of details referring to what people are doing (Temple, 2023). This causes an issue of people facing uncertainty about whether they are doing enough or where they should be in terms of life (Gupta and Sharma, 2021). It leads up to two processes, the perception of missing out and followed by a compulsive behavior to maintain the social connections (Gupta and Sharma, 2021). It’s a problematic attachment to social media and negative life experiences, being swayed by doing actions one doesn’t want, worsening one’s self esteem, and anxiety disorders (Gupta and Sharma, 2021).
Psychology behind FOMO and its correlation with stress and anxiety
The core human need is to feel a sense of belonging, often described as “social hunger” (Trafton, 2020). The significance of belongingness sheds light on why experiencing FoMO can have such detrimental effects on individuals. Researchers suggest that interpersonal bonds reduce stress levels, benefiting both the nervous and immune systems (Temple, 2023). Moreover, social connectivity triggers brain responses similar to those observed in anxiety disorders (Temple, 2023). It initiates a fight-or-flight reaction when confronted with social threats; when the brain receives a social threat, it puts us on high alert (Temple, 2023). The nervous system gets agitated when we become uncomfortable and motivated to find relief, Dr. Dattilo (Temple, 2023). This need for relief often leads people to their social media apps, however, this only maintains or even strengthens our anxiety (Temple, 2023).
Coping with FoMO
Everyone copes differently, however, we wanted to give you all a place to start. Take a look at some of these suggestions and mold them to what may work for you!
Try to minimize your social media use: Since most people now use social media to share their experiences, it can be difficult to avoid the bombardment of pictures and videos that can make you feel as though you are missing something. Remember that social media only shows a fraction of a person’s life, and that we want to curate the best versions of ourselves to show the world! Reminding yourself of this can be helpful in mitigating stress related to FoMO.
Journal or vent: We know it is easier said than done, but these coping methods help with putting together your emotions. When we are overwhelmed or anxious, it can be difficult to even pinpoint what is making us feel this way. By journaling or venting, we are able to better express our feelings, even when they feel too big for discussion. Putting yourself in a position to have to think about your emotions will help to better understand what is the root of your anxiety.
Gratitude > Comparison: Think of how you feel when you open the perfect gift or when a stranger compliments you. And think of how you feel when you see someone on your dream vacation or hear about your friend’s seemingly amazing life. Those emotions are very different, but one clearly makes you feel better than the other. Shifting our thoughts slowly from what we don’t have to what we do makes you find joy in smaller, more achievable things. Growing your mindset is a difficult thing to do, however, it will benefit you much more in the future with general anxiety, stress management, and overall happiness.
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