How Social Media Impact Your Mental Health?

Introduction

People currently spend around 147 minutes each day on social media. This means we get a glimpse into how others spend their time, sharing everything from hangouts to meals.

In today's world, where social media plays a significant role, the Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO) can creep in as we scroll. Have you ever felt a twinge of envy seeing someone's awesome online posts? Or a bit left out when friends are having fun without you? That's the FOMO effect in action.

Beyond Feeling Left Out

FOMO goes beyond just feeling down or left out. It can impact our emotions and relationships, making us feel less positive about ourselves. Constantly comparing ourselves and feeling pressured to keep up can lead to worry, a sense of inadequacy, or even loneliness.

Addressing the Sneaky Feeling

It's crucial to discuss this sneaky feeling! Let's explore how comparing ourselves on social media affects our emotions and relationships. Understanding this is the initial step toward cultivating healthier connections with our phones and ourselves. Let's delve into the details and gain more insights.

Unpacking FOMO

FOMO, or the fear of missing out, entails feeling anxious about missing out on exciting activities others are engaged in. It can disrupt our daily lives, even causing distractions while driving. FOMO is often linked to excessive use of the internet, smartphones, and social media.

Social Media Highlights

When you check your favorite social media platform, do you see updates from close friends or a multitude of people doing incredibly cool things? It's often the latter. Viewing these exciting lives can stir specific emotions about our own.

FOMO in Action

FOMO is the sensation we experience when it seems like everyone is having a great time without us. Although not exclusive to social media, frequent scrolling can intensify this feeling. Imagine this: you're at home on a Friday night, content, but as you scroll, it appears everyone else is out having a blast. Suddenly, you might feel like you're missing out on all the fun.

Link to Social Media Use

Individuals who spend substantial time on social media are more susceptible to FOMO. The catch? Experiencing this feeling isn't merely distressing; it could negatively impact our mental health. On days when FOMO is intense, we're more likely to feel low, fatigued, and stressed, and may even experience difficulty sleeping or physical discomfort.

Understanding FOMO in Simple Terms

Let's talk about FOMO – the fear of missing out. Numbers about FOMO, how it affects us, and how businesses use it can help us grasp it better and plan for the future.

FOMO on Social Media

Facebook is the top player in making people feel FOMO, with a big 72% of folks going through it. Next up, Instagram at 14%, Twitter at 11%, and Pinterest at 8% also contribute to FOMO (OptinMonster, 2021).

Why FOMO Happens

FOMO has many reasons. Studies show 56% worry about missing important stuff if they're not on social media. Another 69% think not keeping an eye on Facebook and other platforms means missing out on crucial events (FortuneLords, 2021).

Because of these worries, about 51% check social media more now than they did two years ago, showing we rely on these platforms more (OptinMonster, 2021).

FOMO in Daily Life

Lots of people feel FOMO in their daily routines. Around 27% check their social media first thing in the morning. Also, 45% can't go more than 12 hours without checking, and 20% can't even last an hour (TrustPulse, 2019).

FOMO Triggers

For millennials, the things that trigger FOMO the most are travel (59%), events and parties (56%), and food (29%). These are the areas where people really want to stay in the loop (OptinMonster, 2021).

Dealing with the Fear of Missing Out

Keep in mind what's not on social media:

No matter how awesome people's lives seem on social media, remember, there's more to their story. They don't show the everyday stuff, and not everyone's life is super exciting.

Use your time wisely:

Focus on things and people that make you happy. When you're happy with what you're doing, you won't stress about what others are up to.

Identify what triggers your FOMO:

Figure out what makes you feel left out. If your phone is the issue, put it away when you don't need it for social media. If a particular person always makes you feel left out, spend less time with them.

Think about therapy:

Therapy, like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, can help with habits causing FOMO, such as using social media too much. It's about understanding your feelings and actions to feel more in control.

Take it easy on social media:

Using it too much or choosing it over offline friendships isn't great. It's good for staying in touch and finding cool stuff to do, but don't overdo it! Apps like Moment can help you track and cut down your social media time.

Stick with your pals:

Use social media to chat with far-away friends or see what your close friends are up to. Checking out posts from friends feels better than following people you barely know.

Keep it real:

It's fine to show the good stuff in your life, but don't feel like everything has to be perfect online. Sharing some not-so-great stuff sometimes can make others feel connected. Being honest might help make social media less negative for everyone.

Feeling FOMO all the time can mess with your mental and physical health. But you can enjoy social media without letting it take over. Remember, it only shows part of life, and using coping strategies can help you fight FOMO. Building your sense of belonging might also make you feel more in charge and secure.