13 May Do You Have A Fear Of Missing Out?
Do You Have A Fear Of Missing Out
As an avid sports fan, I can’t seem to catch all of the games I want to watch. It also doesn’t help that I don’t have television at my house. I have a tv, but I just don’t want to pay for cable or satellite. That being said, I am so glad they show the game highlights online for free. I get all the good stuff without having to sit through the boring stuff.
Facebook (and most social media in general) seems to me to be a highlight reel for the lives our friends and family. We see baby pictures, wedding announcements, birthdays, and all of the fun stuff about life that we experience. This is all well and good, the only problem is that we see these things when we tend to be sitting around our house doing nothing, or procrastinating while we’re at work.
“FOMO” (Fear of Missing out) is a very real psychological disorder where people are afraid that they’re missing out on life. Johnny Lops, a psychiatrist from Brooklyn, says that “We have so many different ways to communicate through our phones and through Twitter and Facebook. I have access to hear everything you’re doing on a daily basis, and it can heighten my insecurities and jealous emotions because I feel like I’m not out doing as many cool things as you are.”
How Do We Manage This Emotion?
Emotions are a big part of who we are. Despite what people seem to think, it is possible to manage our emotions. Our initial knee-jerk reaction to most things are usually the wrong reactions, but if we can get past that, we can become better people.
1. Change Your Jealousy To Curiosity
Sometimes (as unfortunate as it may seem), we have to be the one to make an effort. These are not the most balanced relationships, but you have to start somewhere. Instead of pouting about it and feeling jealous, maybe call your friends and ask if you can come along.
2. Learn to Take Time for Yourself
Hitting the reset button on your brain will work wonders. Disconnecting from your phone, computer, and television for a good amount of time will prevent your brain from going to those dark places. Stimulating your brain with yoga, reading, or just going for a walk are some of the most beneficial things we can do for our mental health.
3. Diversify Your Life
A lot of people tend to fall into the same old routines: Wake up, go to work/school/ come home, eat dinner, relax for awhile, then go back to bed. Breaking that routine will help you open up your mind to experiencing new things.
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