I doubt there is anyone with a phone and an internet connection in the present world that hasn’t fallen victim to mindless scrolling at least once in their life. This problem was further perpetuated by the worldwide lockdown that the Covid-19 pandemic brought. The lockdown had a huge role in making our life digital. From online school and online jobs, to online shopping, connecting with friends and family, keeping ourselves entertained, and more, our normal lifestyle took a sharp turn. When provided with unlimited time, digital devices and an internet connection, while being enclosed in one’s room or house, people turn to their devices to fill their time. This sort of dependency on the internet worsened the issue of mindless scrolling.
While mindless scrolling serves as one of the safer mechanisms of coping with uncertainty and day-to-day stress, it also functions as the source of insecurity and fatigue, which drain our energy and overwhelm us. It has countless adverse effects on our mental, as well as physical, health. It is proven to cause depression, anxiety, inability to manage schedules, short attention span, lack of focus, no awareness of time and reality, and so on. Its physical effects include backache, headache, insomnia, poor eating habits, poor hygiene and neck pain. These physical and mental effects also interfere with one’s ability to be a functioning member of society.
If you’re aware of this habit of yours, you’re already one step closer to freeing yourself from its grip! However, not using this awareness to your advantage will do no good. Some steps you can take to bring mindless scrolling and its effects under control are as follows:-
Stay away from gadgets that you don’t need to get work done.
Get rid of apps like Instagram and TikTok that encourage mindless scrolling. If that’s too difficult, set screen time limits.
Practice yoga and meditation to restore your focus and concentration. They are also proven to lower levels of depression and anxiety.
Sound therapy is another effective method of overcoming digital fatigue. Using gongs, Tibetan singing bowls, or Himalayan crystal bowls are forms of sound therapy.
Spending time in nature is a great way of immersing ourselves back in reality.
Practice mindfulness. Be observant of your feelings, emotions and thoughts. Instead of using the digital world as a means of escape from your problems, turn inwards to find peace.
SOURCES TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MINDLESS SCROLLING