With the age of social media, FOMO was born. You know what I am talking about: you’re scrolling through Instagram or Facebook and see some of your friends hanging out, but there’s something wrong. You’re not there. And even if you are doing your own thing, a small piece of you feels like you are missing out on something monumental. However, in reality the hangout is the same old thing you have gone to for years and will probably go to next week. FOMO can affect our everyday lives and can even affect your dog! Yes, you heard that right. You dog can get FOMO.
What is FOMO?
FOMO is an acronym for “Fear Of Missing Out.” While this may sound made up, it can be quite detrimental to people's mental health. And, the dictionary definition is "anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may currently be happening elsewhere." Doctors are finding a correlation between social media and FOMO which makes sense since we are constantly seeing other people’s highlight reels while comparing it to our lowlight reels. And, other people most likely feel the same when you post your weekend and holiday highlights. Social media can make people feel like they aren’t doing enough or aren’t having enough fun. FOMO can make people feel like they are not enough and this feeling coupled with feeling like you are constantly missing out can lead to anxiety.
Does my dog have FOMO?
Now your dog won’t be diagnosed with FOMO, but maybe he gets upset or antsy when you are getting ready to leave. Your dog may have separation anxiety. They may also start to take their anxiety out on your furniture. They don’t like that they are missing out on having time with you! Is your dog barking and howling excessively, having accidents inside the house, destroying your house, pacing, trying to escape, salivating as you leaving, excessive licking, or eating their own feces? If you answered yes to one or more of these, it may be time to try CBD oil for dogs or CBD dog treats. CBD can help sooth your dog when you are away. You can also try hiring a dog walker to keep your dog company while also tiring them out with some activity while you are away. If your dog really needs more attention, then a trusted doggy day care near you maybe the answer you are looking for.
Now it’s also important to keep yourself mentally FOMO free or at least reduce FOMO. You can do this by spending less time scrolling through Instagram or Facebook and more time playing fetch with your dog, taking your dog on a walk, or exploring new parks with your dog. Not only will your dog appreciate you being more present, you may also start to reap the benefits. You may not feel like you are constantly missing out on life as you may have before. In reality, a break from your socials, can help you get more tuned into real life.