Are You Doomscrolling Your Way to Stress? Here’s 5 Ways to Stop Doomscrolling!
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“Doomscrolling can take a real toll on mental health, contributing to anxiety and sleep issues,” says Dr. Mas’ood Cajee, DDS, MPH. “Many people don’t realize that constant exposure to bad news can affect their well-being, just like poor diet or lack of exercise.”
Here’s 5 ways to break the doomscrolling cycle and protect your mental health:
Doomscrolling—spending too much time reading bad news—can leave you feeling stressed, anxious, and even helpless. Breaking the habit isn’t easy, but small changes can make a big difference. Here’s how to take control:
1. Set a Time Limit – Give yourself a short time (like 10 minutes) to check the news. Use a timer or an app to remind you to stop. Instead of mindlessly scrolling, focus on key updates, then move on with your day.
2. Curate Your Feed – If your social media feed makes you feel anxious, it’s time to clean it up! Unfollow negative accounts and follow pages that inspire, educate, or bring joy. Positive content can shift your mood and help you feel more hopeful.
3. Replace Scrolling with Better Habits – When you feel the urge to scroll, try doing something more fulfilling—read a book, go for a walk, journal, or call a friend. These activities can boost your mood and help you feel more present in your daily life.
4. Turn Off Notifications – Every time your phone buzzes, you’re tempted to check it. Turn off alerts for news and social media so you’re not always drawn back in. Keeping only important notifications, like texts from loved ones, reduces distractions and helps you stay focused.
5. Use ‘Do Not Disturb’ Mode – Doomscrolling before bed can make it harder to sleep and leave you feeling exhausted the next day. Try putting your phone away an hour before bedtime and switching to a relaxing activity, like listening to music or stretching.
Taking small steps to reduce doomscrolling can help you feel calmer, happier, and more in control of your time. Try these tips and see how much better you feel!
Where to Get More Info
For more info, visit Wikipedia’s page on Doomscrolling.
DID YOU KNOW…?
Your brain processes negative news faster than positive news, which is why doomscrolling can feel addictive!
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