Over the past 24 years, Americans have spent more and more time online. It’s easy to open our phones to scroll through our feeds and suddenly find ourselves swimming in negative, distressing, or even traumatizing headlines and content. The compulsion to consume negative news on the web, news sites, or social media is now known as doomscrolling, and it became a national phenomenon during the COVID-19 pandemic. But can doomscrolling hurt our mental health in lasting ways?
In an age of competing clicks, negativity can be a powerful tool for commanding attention online. Research shows that negatively worded headlines increase our desire to click on them, which then can increase the likelihood that the content will go viral. In fact, each additional negative word in a headline boosts its likelihood of being clicked. When conflict, crisis, and controversy dominate our feeds, maybe it’s worth asking how much our daily dose of doom is shaping not just what we read but how we feel.
Who Does Doomscrolling Hurt and How?
If you wake up and immediately scroll through a flood of bad news, you’re not alone, but your screen time might be harming your mental and physical health in the process. Our brains naturally seek out danger in hopes of avoiding it, which is why distressing headlines can feel impossible to ignore. But the constant stress of wars, climate disasters, and divisive politics could be overloading your nervous system. This overload is particularly damaging to women, individuals who have lived traumatic life events, and people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Experts at Harvard caution against this routine, negative online exposure because it may be triggering our fight-or-flight response, pushing us to stay alert while also trapping us in stress. The ripple effects of this can show up in both mind and body, including:
- Headaches, migraines, and muscle tension
- Poor sleep and changes in appetite or weight
- Blood pressure problems
- Anxiety and even less engagement at work
But technology’s impact on mental health isn’t always bad, so what can you do to protect your well-being without going off the grid? It starts with setting small but intentional digital boundaries and taking advantage of the services that Miramont Behavioral Health Hospital offers in Wisconsin:
- Inpatient Care: Inpatient treatment at Miramont can be a safe place to heal when life feels overwhelming. Whether you’re facing a mental health crisis or struggling with intense substance use disorder (SUD) symptoms, our 24/7 care provides the support you need to feel more like yourself again. With a team that listens and plans around your needs, we help you stabilize, find clarity, and take meaningful steps toward recovery. It’s a great option for adults and older folks who need more support than outpatient care can offer—and who are ready to focus fully on getting better.
- Intensive Outpatient Care (IOP): Outpatient treatment gives you the support you need while still allowing you to live at home and keep up with daily responsibilities. If you’re facing challenges like anxiety, depression, or another mental health concern, our day programs offer therapy, medication management, and guidance to help you feel more in control. It’s a great option if you don’t need 24/7 care but could benefit from extra support as you work through tough emotions or experiences, and our meal, transportation, and virtual services make it easier for you to focus on healing.
Tips For Cutting Down on Doomscrolling
Digital boundaries can help your brain and body recenter after constant online stimulation. However, cutting back doesn’t mean cutting the news out entirely; rather, practicing more mindfulness related to how, when, and why you engage with it. Harvard researchers suggest a handful of simple shifts that can help reduce doomscrolling stress without undergoing a full digital detox:
- Turn off phone notifications to avoid constant pings that keep you tethered to bad news.
- Move your phone out of reach during meals and bedtime to reduce reflexive scrolling.
- Change your phone display to grayscale to make it less visually stimulating.
- Spend more time consuming uplifting, real-world content and participating in activities like volunteering or walking in nature.
- Focus on community news sources that highlight more balanced, local, and hopeful content.
- If your scrolling urges feel overwhelming or distressing, you can contact a healthcare provider for support.
Get Help For Online Anxiety in Wisconsin
Whether you’re based in Waukesha or Middleton, Miramont Behavioral Health Hospital is here to help with the challenges that come with being constantly online. If you or a loved one struggles with digital boundaries, we can help. Contact us today to learn more!
