Forget FOMO. Try JOMO

How the ‘joy of missing out’ can make you happier and healthier

Eric Spitznagel,

AARP

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Published October 03, 2024

a woman on a yoga mat with images depicting social scenarios behind her

James Yates

Remember the fear of missing out, that anxious sensation that someone, somewhere, was having more fun than you? Well, meet its inverse: the joy of missing out, a.k.a. JOMO. You feel it every time you’re more relieved than disappointed when your social plans fall through. A free evening, all to yourself? Bring it on!

“JOMO is crucial as you reach your 50s,” according to Tali Gazit, a psychologist who studies social media addictions. “It isn’t just about skipping obligations; it’s about consciously choosing how to spend your time and energy in ways that nurture your well-being and happiness.” In fact, shifting your social priorities can even improve your health, research shows. Read on to learn how to boost your JOMO in several common scenarios.

Rock concert conundrum

What it is: Your favorite band is coming to town, but the show won’t end till way past your bedtime.

What to do: Before buying tickets, clinical psychologist Marni Amsellem suggests, ask yourself whether it’s something you really want to do. “Listening to our needs is critical for nurturing our emotional health, which is a key component of healthy aging,” says Amsellem. If you do really want to go, great! But there’s no shame in leaving before it’s over. In your 50s, losing sleep on a regular basis can put you at risk of a variety of chronic conditions, including diabetes and high blood pressure.

The Facebook blahs

What it is: You spend a lot of time on social media, but it leaves you feeling depleted and vaguely sad.

What to do: Limit your exposure. Young people aren’t the only ones who get anxiety from comparing their real lives to their friends’ curated social media feeds. A recent study of middle-aged adults found that they, too, can feel depressed after excessive Facebook scrolling. Try setting a time limit of 30 minutes per day for checking social media, a practice that can reduce anxiety, depression and fear, according to a 2023 study.

Party overload

What it is: You’re invited to a huge event. You’d rather stay home in your PJs, but you don’t want to upset the host.

What to do: Send your regrets. Social connections are very important to your mental and even physical health, but there is such a thing as overdoing it, says Chris Barry, a psychology professor at Washington State University. “If your social schedule is draining or hard to keep up with, it may be beneficial to have those periods of disconnection and staying at home to recharge,” he says. Unless it’s a party to celebrate a significant milestone for a close friend or family member, your host is unlikely to hold your absence against you. In a 2023 study, researchers found that 77 percent of people “overestimate the negative ramifications” of declining an invitation.

Dining dilemma

What it is: You usually love a good restaurant meal, but tonight that dinner reservation is giving you reservations.

What to do: Cancel the reservation. “There comes a time in a 50-year-old’s life when they realize that preparing a simple, nourishing meal at home is more appealing than another indulgent dinner out,” says Christine Palumbo, a registered dietitian in Chicago. It’s better for your health too. Eating out regularly can lead to all kinds of health problems down the line, including cardiovascular disease, cancer and type 2 diabetes, according to a recent study. Time to make your air fryer your friend.