How Mindless Scrolling Affects The Brain

 

Mindless scrolling has totally become a habit for so many of us nowadays. It's how we pass the time when we're bored, wait for something, or just need a short distraction. But researchers are finding that this kind of mindless online surfing may not be as harmless as it seems. Even when we're not really paying attention to what's on our screens, all that scrolling could still be affecting our brains and well-being.

According to a study conducted by Harvard Business Review, the pull of the rabbit hole grows stronger with each video or post viewed, making it difficult to pull oneself out and get back to work. As you view more posts and videos back-to-back, your brain gets more and more hooked on the endless content. Before you know it, hours have gone by and you're still scrolling when you should be working! 

Another study found that endless scrolling on social media can lead to sensory overload, which can cause feelings of exhaustion, stress, and tiredness. Our prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that controls stuff like focus and self-control, gets weaker the more we multitask or juggle multiple notifications and apps. It's like a muscle that gets fatigued the more you force it to switch between tasks, and pretty soon your ability to concentrate starts slipping too. 

Mindless scrolling can also trigger the release of dopamine in the brain, which can lead to addiction-like behavior.

Of course, there's nothing wrong with checking your feeds now and then. In moderation, social media is just part of our daily lives. But it's worth paying attention to how and when you use your devices. If you find yourself mindlessly scrolling more out of habit than actual interest, try setting limits for yourself or finding other hobbies to focus on when you have downtime. Our brains and anxiety levels will probably thank us for it!

Here are some tips that can help you break the habit of mindless scrolling:

• Set a time limit: Decide how much time you want to spend on social media each day and stick to it. You can use apps like Freedom or Moment to track your usage and set limits.
• Unfollow accounts that don't add value: Be selective about the accounts you follow and unfollow those that don't add value to your life.
• Take breaks: Take regular breaks from social media throughout the day. Use this time to do something productive or engage in activities that you enjoy.
• Be mindful: Be mindful of your online behavior and ask yourself if what you're doing is adding value to your life.
• Engage in offline activities: Engage in activities that don't involve screens, such as reading a book, going for a walk, or spending time with friends and family.

By following these tips, you can reduce mindless scrolling and improve your overall well-being.