In today’s digital age, it’s easy to fall into the habit of doomscrolling—spending excessive time reading negative news or distressing social media posts. While staying informed is important, overconsuming alarming content can negatively impact mental health, leading to increased anxiety, stress, and even depression. As students, who often juggle academic pressures, it’s essential to recognize how online habits influence our well-being.
To help manage doomscrolling and protect your mental well-being, here are some effective strategies:
- Set Time Limits: Implement screen time trackers on your phone or use apps that limit your access to social media and news outlets. This way, you can prevent yourself from endlessly scrolling, especially during study sessions or late at night.
- Don’t Bring Your Phone Everywhere: Avoid taking your phone to the dinner table, to bed, or placing it on your nightstand while you sleep. Keeping your phone out of reach in these moments can help improve focus, relaxation, and sleep quality.
- Curate Your Feed: Follow accounts that promote positive, educational, or inspiring content. Unfollow or mute sources that tend to share distressing or overwhelming news. This ensures that the content you consume contributes to a healthier mindset.
- Take Regular Breaks: Schedule regular breaks throughout the day to step away from screens. This could be as simple as taking a 10-minute walk, reading a book, or spending time with friends. Giving yourself space from constant digital exposure can help reduce stress.
- Practice Mindfulness: Engage in mindfulness exercises, such as deep breathing, meditation, or journaling. These activities help center your thoughts and reduce anxiety caused by negative news. Practicing mindfulness can enhance emotional resilience in the face of overwhelming information. You can try and practise these exercises, with us or alone in the Student Living Room!
By reflecting on and managing your online habits, you can create a healthier relationship with digital content and protect your mental well-being, even in a fast-paced world that’s often flooded with informations.
Are you ready to try one of these strategies to take control of your screen time? Go ahead, give it a shot!
Your SLR-Host Emma 😊
My Source: https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/doomscrolling-dangers
