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Shadé Zahrai on Doomscrolling (Instagram)Scrolling Towards Doom: The Negative Impact of Endlessly Consuming Negative News
Imagine a world where everything is on fire, and instead of running away, you grab a chair and start watching it burn. That's kind of what doomscrolling is like. It's like getting hooked on a disaster movie, but instead of fictional characters, it's real-life events that are unfolding right in front of your eyes.
Doomscrolling is the act of endlessly scrolling through your social media feeds or news outlets, looking for the latest updates on negative news stories. Whether it's a global pandemic, political unrest, or natural disasters, doomscrolling keeps you glued to your screen, consuming an endless stream of depressing news.
Research suggests that this habit can have serious negative impacts on mental health. One study, conducted by Achor and Gielan in 2015, found that people who watched just 3 minutes of negative news in the morning had a whopping 27% greater likelihood of reporting their day as unhappy or depressing 6-8 hours later.
The problem with doomscrolling is that it can have a negative impact on your mental health. It can increase your anxiety and stress levels, leaving you feeling overwhelmed and helpless. It's like a vicious cycle - the more you scroll, the worse you feel, but you can't seem to stop.