Doomscrolling...!!
Don’t be a Doomscroller!
It’s October. The temperature is dropping (well it is here in the NE!), energy prices are rising, the supermarket shop is more expensive week by week, the Queen has gone, the war in Ukraine is showing no signs of ending, the news is filled with terrible stories… There is a lot going on out there in the world and with a mobile phone at your disposal, you don’t have to miss a thing!
Twitter and your favourite rolling new sites mean that you can be constantly updated, and you can search out more detail at the swipe of a finger.
BUT - how does it make you feel? Have you stopped to notice what this is doing to your mood? To your energy levels? To your ability to function? To live your best life?
If you find yourself constantly looking for updates, different sources, new commentary, you could be in the grip of doomscrolling and it really isn’t good for you. Many psychologists have written on this subject – google it and read what they say and then take action! You don’t need to stop reading the news – it’s important to be informed – but maybe you should edit the sites that you are reading. Limit your time by setting a timer for 10 minutes and then stop. Make a list of all the things that are bothering you and then sort them into 3 sets: a set of things that you can do something about, a set of things that you need some help with, and that help is available to you and lastly a set of things that are beyond your control (wars, famine, politicians etc) Then take the first list and make a plan for action. This will help you regain control over your life and the challenges around you. You can also do this with the second set – but focus on the first set initially. As for the third set – you have to let them go. You can’t do anything directly. Let them go and replace them with more enjoyable things!
Finally – take the time you used to spend doomscrolling and donate it to your mental health. Do some meditation, take a walk in nature, play a game, watch a comedy programme – whatever lifts your spirits. Allow yourself to find the joy in life – it’s there – but it may be hiding.
If you need some help in finding some calm and inner peace, contact us to talk about hypnotherapy or coaching – both great for helping to reboot your mindset.