You may or may not find your soulmate on a dating app but you’ll definitely have your mental health affected in the bargain, that’s for sure.
Ever since swiping left and right in the pursuit of whatever it is they’re looking for became the go-to for single folks, dating apps have long been critiqued for their adverse effects on the mental health of people. In a sea of perfectly filtered profile images and bios that are rehearsed to perfection, it’s easy for anyone to feel they’re not good enough. Add to it the burdens of dealing with rejection and keeping up with conversations once you’ve met your match and you have for yourself the perfectly curated way to ruin your mental health.
As per a 2020 survey by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, people using dating apps were found to have higher rates of psychological distress, anxiety and depression.
So how do you go about protecting your mental health when using dating apps? Well… not using these apps isn’t an option so here’s a bunch of things you could do:
1. Set a time limit
Just like some people do with social media, set a time limit for how long you’ll use a dating app in a day. Hours spent swiping won’t increase your matches – it’ll only make you go through a rollercoaster of emotions, one that won’t end on a brighter note.
2. Use one app at a time
Just because there is a new dating app in town, doesn’t mean you have to be on it. Focus on one app at a time. Being on multiple apps will not only lead to unnecessary confusion but also set the ground for more rejection, and as a result, more unwanted anxiety.
3. Be clear about your boundaries
Any time you match with someone, ensure you’ve pointedly put out what you’re seeking, and what are your non-negotiables. On your end, keep your boundaries firmly in place, and remember that no one and nothing is worth ignoring your boundaries.
4. Take things off the app soon enough
One of the biggest reasons for increased levels of stress and anxiety is endless conversations online that never make it to IRL. Chatting on the app never projects the real version of someone, and you can’t ever be sure if someone is worth your time unless you’ve spent time with them in person.
5. Don’t take it personally
No one is out there to make you feel like crap. If someone is rejecting you, it isn’t because something’s wrong with you; it’s just that they’re looking for something else. The key to surviving and thriving on a dating app is not to take rejection personally and avoid going down the rabbit hole of self-doubt.
6. Treat people the way you want to be treated
Treat people with kindness, and be clear with them instead of playing unnecessary games and/or dropping complicated hints. Not only will it make them see you in a positive light, but it’ll also avoid any chances of them behaving in an obnoxious manner.
7. Set realistic expectations
Dating is tricky, and dating apps are trickier. Which is why, going about wearing rose-tinted glasses is only going to lead to disappointment. Be realistic with yourself, don’t expect things to happen soon enough, and prepare for inevitable outcomes.
