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What is doomscrolling?

Imagine you're eating a bag of chips. You know you've had enough, but you can't stop reaching for just one more. Now replace that bag of chips with your smartphone and the chips with bad news. That's doomscrolling in a nutshell! It's the act of continuously scrolling through your newsfeed or social media, consuming a never-ending stream of negative or distressing news, even though it's making you feel worse. It's like a horror movie that you can't look away from, except it's real and it's happening on your screen.

Doomscrolling became particularly popular during the COVID-19 pandemic when people found themselves stuck at home with not much to do but worry about the state of the world. The term itself is pretty new, but the behavior isn't. We've always been drawn to bad news - it's part of our survival instinct to be aware of potential threats. But in our digital age, where information (and misinformation) is abundant and always at our fingertips, this instinct can turn into an unhealthy habit.

So how do we stop doomscrolling? Well, like breaking any habit, it requires conscious effort. Set boundaries for your screen time and stick to them. Engage in activities that make you feel good - reading a book, playing a game, going for a walk - anything that gets your mind off the gloom and doom on your screen. And remember, while it's important to stay informed about what's happening in the world, it's also important to take care of your mental health.