Doomscrolling
Doomscrolling is the compulsive habit of spending excessive time online reading, watching, or scrolling through distressing news and negative digital content. Why It Happens Negativity bias: The human brain naturally prioritizes potential threats and alarming information over neutral details. Illusion of control: People often believe that gathering more information about a crisis will help them feel safer or more prepared. Infinite feeds: Social media algorithms and endless-scroll interfaces are engineered to maximize engagement by keeping the brain's threat-detection system activated. Signs and Effect Common signs: Constantly refreshing feeds, losing track of time, and checking your phone first thing in the morning or late at night. Mental toll: Increased anxiety, depression, mental fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. Physical toll: Headaches, muscle tension, and disrupted sleep patterns. How to Break the Habit Prune your feeds: Mute or unfollow accounts and topics that consis...
