Dating App Fatigue: A Mental Health Perspective

Dating App Fatigue: A Mental Health Perspective

Dating apps can lead to burnout?

Dating app fatigue is a real thing, and it’s not just about the dating apps themselves. It can be tough to manage our expectations when it comes to dating, and with so many options available to us, it’s no wonder that we sometimes feel overwhelmed or exhausted by the process. In this blog post, we’ll explore dating app fatigue from a mental health perspective. We’ll discuss some of how can affect our lives, and we’ll offer some tips for managing it. If you’re feeling frustrated or burned out by dating apps, read on!

Online dating is more popular than ever. In 2020, 270 million people accessed dating apps worldwide. That’s a lot of people! With so many people using dating apps, it’s no wonder that we’re seeing more folks experiencing dating app fatigue: In 2024, 79% Of Gen Z reported dating App Burnout.

According to the Forbes Health Survey: Nearly 70% of individuals who met someone on a dating app reported that it led to a romantic, exclusive relationship, with males (75%) being more likely than females (66%) to have such outcomes.

When asked which dating apps they had used in the past 12 months, the respondents reported using Tinder followed by Plenty of Fish, and Bumble.

  • Tinder
  • Plenty of Fish
  • Bumble
  • Eharmony
  • OkCupid
  • Hinge
  • Christian Mingle
  • Grindr
  • HER
  • Coffee Meets Bagel
  • Raya

Individuals aged 43 to 58 experienced the highest success rates in finding romantic relationships through dating apps. Despite the popularity of online dating, with almost 30% of U.S. adults using these platforms, dating app burnout is prevalent.

Signs you might be experiencing dating app fatigue:

Signs of Dating App Fatigue and dating burnout

-You no longer enjoy using dating apps.

-You’re finding yourself swiping mindlessly.

-You’re starting to feel like dating is a chore.

-You’re feeling anxious or stressed when you think about dating.

-Your curiosity has diminished.

Feeling bored or uninterested.

Feeling exhausted from using the app.

-General disinterest in swiping and chatting.

Not enjoying dates or the overall experience.

-Increase in frustration, irritability, annoyance etc.

-Feeling overwhelmed.

If you find yourself experiencing any of these signs, it might be time to take a break from dating apps. Knowing when to take a break is essential to restoring your emotional capacity and enhancing future dating opportunities.

The best tips to cope with dating app fatigue

Tips for Dealing with Dating App Fatigue

-Set a goal for yourself, such as, only using dating apps for X number of days per week, or taking a break from them for X number of days.

Focus on self-care. When you’re not swiping and chatting, take the time to focus on taking care of yourself. Stay connected to yourself through things that bring you joy, pleasure, and peace (i.e., moving your body, quality time with loved ones/pets, masturbation, or trying a new hobby).

Remember, you control who can access you and at what times.

Talk to someone about it. If you are struggling with dating app fatigue on your own, consider talking to a mental health professional about it. They can help you develop healthy coping mechanisms and provide support during this difficult time.

Pick the app that is right for you.  Not all dating apps are created equal. There are a variety of different apps out there, so take the time to find one that is a good fit for you. Consider things like the app’s purpose, user base, and features before deciding.

Take a break. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by dating app fatigue, it may be helpful to take a break from them altogether. This can be a temporary or permanent decision, depending on what works best for you.

What are you hoping to accomplish?Set your intention- When you’re using dating apps, it’s important to set your intention for doing so.

Questions to ask yourself if facing dating app fatigue: manage expectations, mental health impact, tips for coping, overwhelmed by options, dating burnout solutions.

-Having a clear idea of what you want can help you avoid wasting time on people and experiences that aren’t a good fit.

Check in with yourself and your needs. This can change regularly so, it’s important to check in with yourself regularly to see how you’re doing. What do you need in this moment? Do you need a break? Make sure you’re taking care of yourself first and foremost. Dating should be something that enhances your life, not takes away from it.

What do you want dating to look like? (i.e., casual, monogamous, hookup, non-monogamous, long-term, short-term, etc.)

Talk to your friends and family.

Set boundaries and then reinforce them. (i.e., I will only swipe for X amount of time per day/week.)

-Remember your why. Why did you start using dating apps in the first place? Has your goal or intention changed?

-Think about how much time you’re spending on dating apps. Is it too much?

Are you experiencing dating app fatigue? Dating app fatigue is real, and it can have a serious impact on your mental health.

Practice safety on dating apps (i.e. share location with friends, meeting in public settings).

-Talk to someone you trust about your dating experiences.

Dating app fatigue is real, and it can have a serious impact on your mental health. If you’re experiencing dating app fatigue, there are things you can do to ease the burden.

So there you have it — a few signs that you might be experiencing dating app fatigue.

This isn’t an exhaustive list of how a person can experience dating app fatigue. Fatigue can occur from daily life, stressors, and situations outside of dating. At Heal Your Roots Wellness you will find professional therapists who can help unpack and explore things that come up for you whether you are actively dating or taking space from it. Ideally, you are the expert in your dating life. It isn’t always easy, but it should be fun.

Warm regards,

Maureen McCarthy, LSW

Heal Your Roots Wellness

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Dating App Fatigue: A Mental Health Perspective

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The sheer volume of options and managing expectations can be exhausting. This blog post examines dating app fatigue from a mental health perspective, highlighting its impacts and offering strategies to manage it.

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