FOMO, or the fear of missing out, has been a phenomenon for quite a while. Before the pandemic, you’d open social media and see your friends at a party, at a vacation, or moving, and be sad of missing out. Or, you’d be refreshing on social media for the next big opportunity.
With vaccines here, we have another issue: vaccine FOMO. Vaccine FOMO is when you are not eligible to get the vaccine, or you cannot book a time to get one, but everyone you know is getting it.
This can be disheartening for sure. Luckily, there are some ways for you to tackle it.
First, What is Vaccine FOMO?
Let’s explain vaccine FOMO a bit more. This is also known as vaccine envy.
Vaccine FOMO is when you are feeling envious over your friends, family, or colleagues for getting the vaccine when you are unable to get it.
Feeling a bit of envy is fine. It’s a natural human emotion. Sometimes, you may feel envious for someone who has it, but you may also feel happiness.
For example, you won’t have too much resentment if your grandma gets it. At least you shouldn’t.
However, vaccine envy takes the feelings of envy to the extreme.
You may have downright resentment for people who have it, believing that you deserve it more.
You may also find yourself constantly refreshing websites and other news sources as you look for ways for you to get the vaccine.
This FOMO, when left untreated, can lead to anxiety, depression, and you possibly cutting ties with people you know.
As you get angrier about your vaccine envy, you may end up saying something you regret.
If you do not want to feel this way, here are some things you can do.
Do Something Else
If you keep focusing on vaccines, it can drive you mad.
While you should stay up to date on eligibility and look for appointments, it’s also okay for you to get away from the news. Try finding a new hobby, a way to renovate the house, or another method of keeping yourself entertained in these trying times.
Accept Your Feelings
With that said, your feelings matter. You may feel some guilt for vaccine FOMO because you feel like you are being selfish.
Don’t think this way. It’s valid for you to want to be healthy and to have fun with life.
However, you should also be critical of your emotions and realize that too much anger or jealousy isn’t good for you, either.
Face your emotions head-on and realize that
You’re Not Alone
Another way for you to deal with your vaccine FOMO is to realize that you’re not alone. Only a certain percent of the population is vaccinated right now, so it’s not just you.
It can feel this way when you see everyone posting about it, but these people are the vocal minority. You need to remember that not everyone is vaccinated, and put things in perspective.
Realize That Things Won’t Go Back to Normal Right Away
You getting the vaccine is a good way to return things to normal.
However, it’s not going to automatically fix everything.
The population needs to be vaccinated for herd immunity to happen. While you can do some of the things you used to do after being vaccinated, you are not going to be able to fly to another country just yet. Also, some events you want to go to may still be delayed or canceled until a majority of the population is vaccinated.
Keep that in mind.
Practice Gratitude
Gratitude is essential for anyone. It’s important for you to think about all the good in your life and be grateful for it. This isn’t to say you can’t be disappointed over some parts in life, but you should realize that there are many parts that are good and will continue to be good for a while.
Be grateful you are healthy and have a roof over your head. Maybe you’re someone with a healthy heart, or some powerful lungs. Be grateful that there is finally treatment for this virus. By practicing gratitude, it can quell that FOMO quite a bit.
Mindfulness and Meditation
If those FOMO thoughts won’t escape your head, one way for you to cope is to practice mindfulness. This is the complete awareness of the present and it has helped many cope with life’s challenges.
Simply take a deep breath and push those intrusive thoughts out of your head. Meanwhile, be in the moment.
Look around you. Process the smells, sounds, and even what’s going on in your own body. Doing all of this can make it easier for you to move past FOMO.
Seek Help
With that said, there are times when our FOMO is too much, and it can be difficult for you to cope with it.
In this case, you may want to talk with a therapist about your issues.
If you can’t leave home, there is online therapy. Websites like Mind Diagnostics can connect you with a therapist and assist you in moving past vaccine FOMO, as well as other mental health issues and concerns.
For more info, click this link:
https://www.mind-diagnostics.org/blog/aggression
Marie Miguel Biography
Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with Mind-Diagnostics.org. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.