How to stop doomscrolling

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View this email in your browser  |  Manage newsletter subscriptions By Nathan May | 05.24.22 Doomscrolling—the act of spinning continuously through bad news on social media–is something almost all of us are guilty of from time to time. My moment of weakness usually comes first thing in the morning, when surfing the algorithms appeals far more than the run I promised myself the night before. But whether it stems from a sense of inadequacy about one's appearance or a perceived lack of achievements, we now know that scrolling through your phone for an extended period of time presents greater risks to your health than previously realized. A tranche of research over the past few years has offered a glimpse into the ways social media and phone use elevate the risk of depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm, and suicide. Yet when you consider that at least one in five Americans gets their news through social media, it seems to be a vicious cycle that is hard to escape. Like almost everything in life, moderation is key. Kenneth R. Rosen has some habit-breaking tips to help you escape the doomscroll spiral before it takes hold. If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more.     How to Stop Doomscrolling—With Psychology Awareness and a bit of habit hacking can keep you out of a technology tailspin. Why You Stay Up So Late, Even When You Know You Shouldn't There are certain traits that lend themselves to "revenge bedtime procrastination." There's also a way out. How to Break Out of Your Social Media Echo Chamber Platforms like Facebook are designed to profit from humans' confirmation bias. Here's how to restore balance to your feed. How to Shut Up Your Gadgets at Night So You Can Sleep Cut out the beeps and bloops and get some rest for a change. The Best Apps to Build Better Habits (and Stick to Them) Don't let your resolutions flame out. These tech tools help keep you on track. GET WIRED Memorial Day Sale. Give yourself the gift of information. Get the print edition of WIRED and Gideon Lichfield's exclusive subscriber-only column for just $29.99 $5. Subscribe now.   Have questions or comments? Reply to this email.   When you buy something using the retail links in this email, we earn a small affiliate commission. Read more about how this works.   This e-mail was sent to you by WIRED. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add our e-mail address, wired@newsletters.wired.com, to your address book.   View our Privacy Policy Unsubscribe or manage your newsletter subscriptions