POV: Your Brain Thinks Missing One Hangout Means You’re Dead For Society

Ever get that gut wrenching feeling scrolling through your phone debating whether to go to that party, like if you don’t go, you’re going to miss everything?

That anxious feeling? That’s FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), and your brain is way extra about it that it actually needs to be.

What even is FOMO?

FOMO is that annoying little (or big) voice in your head telling you you’re going to miss out if you skip that party. It’s not in your head, it’s your brain doing it’s old-school “stay alive” thing.

“But why does my brain loses it over missing out???”

Back in the day, missing out a tribe’s reunion ment you were basically ghosted for life: no more food, squad, nor survival. So your brain is literally stuck in caveman mode, thinking that missing out is the equivalent to a major social emergency. Cue the panic.

What’s really going on up there?

•Brain Pain Alert: On the anterios cingulate cortex (ACC), your brain is an emotional pain detector. It activates when you feel physical pain, but also when you feel socially rejected. So your brain literally feels pain when feeling left out.

•Dopamine Dips: Dopamine is the brains’ happy hormome that sparks joy. When you’re feeling left out, your dopamine levels drop, making everything feel kind of flat.

•Amygdala meltdown: Your brains’ “panic button” kicks into full send when if senses some type of threat, making you feel anxious about skipping the function.

The Main Villan: Social Media

Yes, your best friend may be, in fact, your biggest op.

Social media is basically the ultimate FOMO machine: Everyone flexing their highlights of their nights out, making your life seem boring.

Ok, But How Can We Chill Our Brains And Beat FOMO?

1- You can’t be in all places at the same time, and thats ok. Missing one function won’t ruin your social life. Trust me!!

2- Everyone has different focus and goals to reach in life: maybe in a period that you have to lock in and study for a test can be a time that your friends have more free time. And vice versa. Focus on the good stuff that YOU are doing and on YOUR goals.

3- As repetitive as it sounds, social media breaks are a must if you want to chill your brain. Give your brain a breather from the constant scroll.

4- The best vibe is the one that feels right for YOU, not the one other people’s at.

Now that you know the science behind FOMO, you get to have a little more power when deciding when to say yes and when to just be alone, doing you, without all that stress.