Social media can be a cause and effect of FOMO. Social media users often have a higher chance of experiencing FOMO, but FOMO is also a mechanism that can lead that person to use social media.

the more a person is inclined to gratitude, the less likely he or she is to be depressed, anxious, lonely, envious, or neurotic.Gupta M, et al. (2021). Fear of missing out: A brief overview of origin, theoretical underpinnings and relationship with mental health. Receiving certain types of notifications can produce a rewarding feeling in the brain. So when a new notification comes through, we may often anticipate this positive feeling. FOMO, or the fear of missing out, refers to the feeling or perception that other people are having fun, experiencing new things or living a better life than you. And while it most often pops up when you see or perceive these characteristics in people you love and you’re close with, it can also occur with parasocial relationships. When you see people you don’t know but follow on social media doing really cool things you wish you were doing, it can have a lasting impact on how you feel about yourself.

A gratitude focus will help you overcome the fear of missing out and create an abundance mentality. Read more about creating a gratitude mindset. Summing up Therefore, the constant connection to smartphones due to FOMO may be associated with increased distractions and decreased academic and work performance. How To Deal With FOMO

While previous generations may have tried to ‘keep up with the Jones's, they weren't able to tap in 24/7 to see what everyone else was doing to the extent that we are today.

Learning to choose well in a world of unlimited possibilities is often harder than learning to choose at all. Perhaps you will treat yourself to ice cream or watch one of your favorite shows when you get home. The problem with FOMO is the individuals it impacts are looking outward instead of inward,” McLaughlin said. “When you’re so tuned in to the ‘other,’ or the ‘better’ (in your mind), you lose your authentic sense of self. This constant fear of missing out means you are not participating as a real person in your own world.” If you find yourself comparing yourself to others in a way that doesn't feel productive or oriented toward growth, Gupta recommends practicing an abundance mindset: "This means remembering that there are plenty of opportunities to go around for everyone, and just because someone else found success doesn't mean that you won't."Usually, if there are channels of communication between people, FOMO has always found a way of being present. Any communication channels allowing individuals to gain knowledge of their friends, family, or even strangers’ lives can result in feelings of FOMO. This research conducted in 2021 on 481 Italian adults shows that the people with problematic social networking service use, mostly have FOMO. FOMO Symptoms: How to know if you’re suffering from the Fear of Missing Out