"Have you ever caught yourself endlessly scrolling through bad news, tragic headlines, or negative social media posts - knowing it’s making you feel worse but doing it anyway? That’s doomscrolling, and it’s more than just a bad habit. It’s a cycle that messes with your brain, your mood, and even your physical health."
Why is it so addictive?
It all comes down to dopamine, a chemical in your brain that makes you feel good when you find something interesting or exciting. When you scroll through content - whether it’s news, memes, or videos - your brain releases tiny bursts of dopamine, keeping you hooked. But here’s the problem: not all dopamine hits are good for you. Doomscrolling works like a slot machine - you don’t know when you’ll come across the next shocking story, so you keep scrolling, hoping for something new. The more you do it, the harder it becomes to stop.
How doomscrolling hurts you
At first, it might seem harmless. You’re just staying informed, right? But in reality, doomscrolling can have serious side effects on both your mental and physical health.
The more negativity you consume, the worse you feel. It’s like feeding your brain a steady diet of stress. Over time, this can lead to chronic anxiety and even depression
Late-night scrolling keeps your brain active when it should be winding down. The blue light from your phone also messes with your sleep cycle, making it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Doomscrolling releases cortisol and adrenaline, the same hormones that kick in when you’re in danger. When they stay high for too long, they can lead to headaches, muscle tension, and even long-term health issues like high blood pressure.
How many times have you spent way longer than you intended scrolling through news or social media?
It steals time that could be spent on things that actually make you happy, like hobbies, exercise, or talking to friends.
If doomscrolling is so bad, why do we keep doing it?
Because it’s designed to keep us hooked. Social media apps, news websites, and video platforms all profit from our attention, so they use endless scrolling, autoplay, and notifications to keep us engaged.
Here's how you can take back control
- Use an app timer or a simple alarm to remind yourself when to stop scrolling.
- Follow positive or educational accounts instead of ones that thrive on fear and negativity.
- Turn Off Notifications! Reduce the urge to check your phone every time a new headline pops up.
- Replace doomscrolling with something that actually makes you feel good, like reading, exercising, or listening to music.
- Use “Do Not Disturb” Mode! Keep your phone away from your bed to avoid mindless late-night scrolling.
