Have you thought about hopping on a dating app to find someone special? These days, there is a dating app for every type of person, whether you are searching for a fellow vegan who loves animals as much as you do, you’re using a dating site like https://meetville.com/catalog/us/mi to hone in on Michigan singles in particular, or you want to find someone who follows the same religion that you are devoted to.
No matter what your ultimate goal is, however, you need to consider whether using a dating app would be good for your mental health. What are some of the pros and cons of these types of apps, specifically when it comes to how they can impact your mood and self-esteem?
An app might help you feel like you have greater control
When you meet someone in person, it can be difficult to put your best foot forward, especially if the meeting is unexpected. But when you are on a dating app, you might discover that you have greater control over how you present yourself.
If you are concerned about making the best first impression, you can think about what you’ll write in your dating profile, and you can also take some extra time to think about how you will respond to a message before engaging in a conversation. This can be helpful if you experience anxiety over dating.
A dating app may give you hope of meeting someone great
If you haven’t had a lot of luck in the world of dating, you might find that getting on an app increases the exposure that you get, allowing you to meet more people in a shorter amount of time. This is good news for those who are frustrated with being unable to meet new people at bars, clubs, and other public places where singles mingle.
At the same time, however, you do need to be cautious about the people you meet on a dating app, as you definitely want to be sure that they’re genuine. So, you do need to take your time and carefully analyse your potential matches to find the ones that are safe and truly right for you.
You might become a little more self-conscious
Being on a dating app can be challenging for those who tend to feel self-conscious about the way they look. After all, the first thing that people judge when they’re deciding whether to swipe right or swipe left is a person’s appearance.
Whether you’re using a dating app in your 20s or you’ve signed up for a dating app because you want to check it out for senior singles in your area, you might find that you spend a lot of time picking the perfect photos to post. And, when you are ready to hop on a video call to chat with a match, you might end up spending a lot of time picking the perfect outfit and makeup to look your best. Stressful!
As you can see, the use of a dating app can be helpful and give you the chance to meet the love of your life. But it can also be time-consuming, and it might cause your self-esteem to take a hit if you aren’t as successful as you hope to be once you’re using it regularly. So, go into it knowing about the pros and cons, while keeping your expectations in check and maintaining a positive outlook and attitude.
Robert Haynes did his degree in psychology at the University of Hertfordshire. He is interested in mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.