FOMO or fear of missing out often associated with addiction to social media. This behavior is characterized by excessive fear or worry when not aware of the latest news or trends. Although it seems trivial, FOMO can have an impact on mental health and needs to be watched out for.
Today, almost everyone considers a cell phone as important as a wallet. In fact, not a few people feel that it is better to lose your wallet than to lose your cellphone.
Once they realize that their cell phone is not in their bag or pocket, some people will feel panic and anxiety. If you're one of those people who can't be separated for a second from your phone, this could be a sign that you're experiencing a disorder called FOMO.
What is FOMO?
In general, FOMO can be interpreted as the fear of being left behind. This term was first proposed in 2013 by a British scientist named Dr. Andrew K. Przybylski.
Initially, FOMO was often associated with feelings of excessive anxiety that a person feels when friends or relatives are hanging out without him. People who have FOMO will have the perception that other people's lives are better without their presence.
For example, a person who has FOMO will feel uneasy when he is not invited to a friend's wedding, even though all his acquaintances are invited.
The feeling of FOMO can also arise when a person intentionally refuses a party invitation due to being busy, but then feels left out or isolated when he sees all his friends having fun at the party. This can be exacerbated by the presence of social media.
What is the Relationship between FOMO and Social Media?
Social media is now widely used as a place to show one's existence, abilities, or lifestyle. Not a few social media users are trying to show that their lives are perfect, even though in reality they are not.
This can make some people compare their lives with other people's lives that look extraordinary.
People who experience FOMO will feel left behind or have a lower social status than other people. This feeling often causes excessive anxiety about his life.
FOMO behavior can also make a person feel helpless when not holding gadgets and very restless if they are not connected to their social media accounts even if only for a moment.
What are the Negative Impacts of FOMO?
A person who experiences new FOMO will feel calm when he can hold gadgets them and connect to the virtual world. This unhealthy dependence can have a variety of effects, such as:
1. Generate negative feelings
Various studies have shown that people who view other people's vacation photos or videos too often feel less comfortable and feel lonely more easily.
Another survey also showed that 60% of teens will feel worried when they find out their friends are having fun without them. These feelings may arise as a result of FOMO.
2. Increase the risk of psychological problems
Excessive use of social media is known to make a person more easily stressed and obsessed with maintaining image or their self-esteem on social media.
If not used wisely, inappropriate use of social media can not only make a person experience FOMO, but also increase the risk of developing mental disorders, such as anxiety disorders and depression.
3. Lower self-confidence
Other people's posts on social media may make you compare yourself to others and become insecure because you feel that their life is more perfect. This can make you vulnerable to stress.
Always remember that no one is perfect. So, you don't need to compare yourself to other people, let alone feel inferior.
4. Disrupts productivity
If you have experienced FOMO and are addicted to your cellphone, you can forget yourself and seem to have a world of your own because you are always focused on your cellphone anywhere and anytime. This can make it difficult for a person to concentrate while working or studying, resulting in decreased productivity and achievement.
What are the Tips for Overcoming FOMO?
When you start to feel dependent on your cellphone or addicted to social media, there are some tips you can try to overcome, including:
Limiting use gadgets
Limit use gadgets by making a schedule or setting a time limit for checking social media, for example at 12 noon and 5 pm, and not more than 15 minutes.
To pass the time without gadgets or cell phone, do positive activities that are fun, such as exercising, cooking, doing quality timewith the people closest to them, or reading a book. You can also try a social media detox to combat FOMO.
Trying to focus more on the real world than the virtual world
Make a meeting to gather with friends or family, so you can interact more in real. Quality time being with other people is more effective at getting rid of loneliness than scrolling social media for hours.
Try to respect yourself
When you focus more on your shortcomings, it will be very easy for you to become envious of others. From now on, respect and love yourself with all the advantages and disadvantages you have.
Do me time, take time to help others, and do things that make you love yourself more. Stop forcing yourself to seek approval from others.
Remember that not everything posted on social media is as beautiful as it actually is. People who show happy faces on social media don't necessarily feel happy in their lives.
If the anxiety caused by FOMO doesn't go away or if it's already disturbing your life and your relationships with other people, it's a good idea to consult a psychologist about the problems you're facing.