How to stop Doom Scrolling
Chris Desmond
Health and Wellbeing Consultant | Injury Prevention Consultant | Physiotherapist
These little devices in our hands are brilliant. They have opened up a world of possibility that didn't exist. Chances are you are reading on yours right now.
They can also be problematic. A lot of people I speak with find that alongside the positives of having the world at their thumb-tips, there can be some negatives.
Repetitively scrolling throughout the day is the big one. This is often not productive. Sometimes down a rabbit hole. Usually through a pile of crap.
Arguably not bad in itself - unless you have a problem getting overloaded with sensory stimulus that the apps provide.
More of a problem with what the scrolling takes us away from.
Our work
Our kids
Connection with our partners
From being in the moment with whatever we could be doing
Most people want to doom scroll less. But it's hard. For a while there the report my phone sent me every Monday morning had the numbers on time use looking very similar. And definitely higher than what I would like.
Our default mode to try and stop doom scrolling is to TRY HARDER.
It doesn't usually work out very well for me. I keep getting tempted. How does trying harder go for you?
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Rather than trying harder, we instead need to try smarter.
The smartest way that I find is to remove the temptation to doom scrolling in the first place.
Nearly all of my work day I don't need my phone, unless it's to make a call or send a text.
99.5% of the time with my family I definitely don't need my phone.
So instead of trying harder to resist temptation. I get rid of it.
My phone is in another room during the work day. Or at least off my desk. (With the ringer on and social media alerts off so I can still grab calls).
Or during family time I aim to keep my phone on the charger in my bedroom.
Another tactic I've found helpful is to wear a pair of boardies, or other pants without pockets.
The draw of your phone calling you to doom scroll is compelling.
And it calls much louder when it's about your person.
Try smarter and remove the temptation to doom scroll.
Associate Director @ Accenture | Making a better NZ for our kids
2moLove the call re wearing boardies!
Managing Director
2moThanks for sharing
Coronial Case Manager at Ministry of Justice - New Zealand
2moSo easy to get sucked into this vortex. I used to turn my phone off when I left work and not turn it on til I went back...including weekends...but I seem to have joined the doom scrollers.Time for a bit of a spring reset! Thanks for posting.