Doomscrolling is the act of consuming an excessive amount of bad news online—often without realizing just how much time has passed or perhaps how anxious you’ve become. Are you caught in that pattern? Many people are, even without realizing it. And although it often makes you feel worse, something keeps pulling you back. Why?
The Negativity Bias
Our brains are wired to notice threats. Just as our ancestors scanned the horizon for danger, we now scan our screens. But today, the threats are often abstract or distant—yet the ancient habit of hypervigilance remains.
Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)
When your anxiety is stirred by negative news, you are afraid of missing something, so you check frequently to see whether some new information is available.
Trying to Gain Control Over an Uncertain Situation
If you sense a threat, even if ill-founded, or if some bit of news simply creates a sense of uncertainty, you want to know as much as possible about it because that helps you feel in more control and better prepared for it.
What You're Up Against
Social media companies use algorithms that prioritize content that is stimulating and often use negative news for this purpose. And by developing content with no stopping points, they foster "infinite scrolling."
Psychological Effects
Exposure to bad news can make one feel anxious, stressed, fearful, depressed, and isolated. And bad news can actually make personal worries seem worse, because, by tapping into and stimulating our reservoir of worry, it causes that feeling to generalize.
How an Inner Guide Can Help
It is possible, in fact easy, to create a new mental pathway that can reduce stress and uncomfortable emotions. I call it an Inner Guide. Your Inner Guide helps you:
- Reduce anxiety, irritation, and depression—the drivers of compulsive scrolling
- Experience calmness and internal steadiness, even in uncertain times
- Quiet the mental static that clouds judgment and drains your energy
- Make clear, intentional choices about how you spend your time
Acquire Your Own Inner Guide
Use the Stress-Free Formula, at
https://www.communityforwellbeing.com/the-stress-free-formula
If you already have an Inner Guide and would like to join our online Community for Well-Being, a community dedicated to supporting individuals who are using the Inner Guide in their lives, just email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and I'll send you the link.
