Don’t Be a Doomscroller
What is Doomscrolling? Imagine this — You pick up your smartphone to check what’s going on, right? But then, you start seeing all this bad or negative news. But for some reason, you can’t stop scrolling. You keep on scrolling, even though it’s making you feel more anxious and worried.
That’s doomscrolling. Doomscrolling is being trapped in a cycle of reading negative or bad news online and continually scrolling through it even though it makes you feel anxious and you know it’s not good for you. You’re drawn to it and you can’t stop. It’s almost like an addiction.
Doomscrolling can mess with your mind and cause physical problems too. You might feel very anxious, stressed, or even depressed. And it’s not just your mind; it can mess with your sleep and even cause physical problems like headaches. Not only that but it’s a huge time-waster, and it can make you feel more isolated, even though you’re constantly looking at your phone or scrolling on your PC or tablet.
Doomscrolling isn’t good for you. It has real physical and psychological manifestations but sometimes it’s hard to avoid. It is very easy to get sucked down that rabbit hole.
Things that might help you avoid doomscrolling.
First, set some limits. Use timers or app limits to control how much time you spend scrolling. And be picky about what you see. Unfollow or mute accounts that continually dump negativity on you. Find articles that make you feel good or hopeful instead.
Get away from the screen! Go for a walk, read a book, or do something you enjoy. A little time in nature can help a lot. Pay attention to how you feel. If you start feeling badly or anxious, take a break. Consider turning off notifications so you’re not constantly bombarded with articles that can drag you back into that cesspool of darkness.
Try setting specific times to check the news, too. Don’t focus on sites that continually smother you with bad or negative news. Stop yourself. Don’t scroll on and on for hours. It’s good to stay informed, but don’t allow yourself to be constantly bombarded with bad or negative news.
There’s always plenty of bad news. There’s always plenty of doomsayers. But don’t allow yourself to get trapped into doomscrolling.
Don’t be a Doomscroller!
Excellent reflection for the season of Lent
Great and precious reply.
Thank you! I think I needed that, today!!
Thanks so very much, such valuable information during these not so great times! I really needed this!
Love you Darcy and TC ❤️
I agree about setting time limits but I cannot agree on reading only things that make you feel good or hopeful instead. In these times, especially, it’s important for citizens to be aware of what is happening on local, state and national levels. And you can’t read just one source either, because so many lean to one side or the other. It’s important to read a few from different points of view so you can have a truly informed opinion. I know I’m limiting myself to 30 minutes 3 times a day because I was getting depressed. The rest of my day is spent reading, knitting or with friends. Thanks for your essays – so many times you strike a chord. You two are my anchors in this world of technology and I thank you for everything you do.