Everybody talks about FOMO these days. In fact, the word has been added to the Oxford English dictionary in 2013.
Dr. Damanjit Kaur (MD Psychiatry)
What is FOMO: Fear of missing out. It is an uneasy feeling that you're missing out on what others are doing or possessing or having something better than you. It has been seen that nearly 75% of young adults experienced the phenomena of FOMO in their lives. It aggravates the sense of envy, and jealousy and affects ones self-esteem. It also lead to the low feeling of helplessness that you are missing out on something big.
SOCIAL MEDIA AND FOMO:
Social media provides a situation in which you are comparing your regular life with the highlights of others lives. Social media has created a platform for bragging, it is a place where things, events, and even happiness looks to be in competition at times. Research shows that low level of satisfaction, unhappiness in life, and persistent comparison with others originates FOMO. What is the ways to curb FOMO :
Slow down and take your time when eating, talking, driving, or engaging in daily activities. Differentiate between what is truly important and necessary than unimportant things. Devote time on things that are more rewarding. Rather than focusing on what you lack, notice what you have in life. Keep a journal about your personal best memories rather than putting each and everything on the online platform. This shift your focus from public approval to a private appreciation that makes your life more happy and more content. Make plans with a good friend, organize group outings, this keeps FOMO away. Focus on Gratitude, studies shows that simply telling others what you appreciate about them can lift your spirits as well as theirs too. Avoid multitasking, a person focused on a single task is not only successful but also satisfied. Rather than chasing after the illusion of happiness, practice being present and enjoying the moment. Rather than just focusing on the results or end product, enjoy the process and journey to achieve them. To sum up:
FOMO starts with Sadness and unhappiness
Social media makes it worse, not better
Happiness is all about mindful attention.
Gratitude should be an essential part of life.
Thus forget the fake perfect lives you see on social media which leads to FOMO. Instead, try JOMO - Joy OfMissing Out these on all those illusions. And when you spend time looking at others post and envying them, keep one thing in mind, “It’s your life you are missing out on.”
Dr. Damanjit Kaur
(MD Psychiatry)
Faith Hospital, Chandigarh