Doomscrolling: The Silent Drain on Your Time, Energy and Joy
Why: We Don’t Even Realise It’s a Problem
You tell yourself you’ll just check the headlines or have a quick scroll through your feed after dinner. Next thing you know, it’s 11pm. You’re still holding your phone, your jaw is clenched, your heart is heavier, and the time you meant to use for relaxing, getting a few jobs done, or spending time with your family has disappeared!
Sound familiar?
This is the reality of doom scrolling - a modern habit that sneaks into our lives under the guise of “staying informed” or “winding down”. But more often than not, it’s neither of those things. It’s a habit we don’t even realise we’re relying on..maybe even addicted to.
People often come to me saying they feel anxious, disconnected, full, or overwhelmed. Many say they have “no time” to do the things they really want - to rest, to move ahead with a personal project, spend quality time with loved ones, or just have fun. And yet, when they look at their screen time, they’re spending three, four, five hours a day on their phones. That’s more time than many people spend with their partners, children, or even sleeping properly!
What’s going on here?
The truth is, doom scrolling has become a default mode. We reach for our phones when we’re stressed, tired, lonely, bored, or even just when there’s a quiet moment. It fills the space. It gives us the illusion of control and connection - while quietly robbing us of both.
We’re not just watching bad news. We’re avoiding our own lives. Our own fears, insecurities, and the discomfort of stillness. It feels easier to stay busy - even if that “busyness” is endlessly scrolling a screen consuming negative and mindless content.
The worst part? Most people don’t realise it’s a problem - until they hit long stretches of low energy and motivation they can’t explain - or burnout or relationship breakdowns or even worse!
How: Awareness Is the First Step to Reclaiming Control
So how do we break the cycle?
The first step is awareness. Like any habit, doom scrolling thrives in the shadows. Once you see it for what it is – a stress-fuelled, algorithm-driven loop that feeds anxiety and robs you of joy – you can start to change it.
Start by tracking your screen time for a week. Not to judge yourself – but to get clear on where your time is really going. You might be shocked.
Next, notice when and why you pick up your phone. Is it boredom? Habit? Anxiety? Loneliness? Distract from problems and things you don't want to deal with? These are important signals. Often, what we’re looking for is not the next headline – it’s comfort, connection, or clarity. And there are much better ways to get those.
Understanding the effects of doom scrolling is also crucial. Research shows it’s linked to increased anxiety, sleep issues, difficulty concentrating, and even depression. It erodes our ability to be present - at work, in relationships, and in our own bodies. Over time, it lowers our sense of hope and agency - and our intellect. And it feeds a cycle of passive consumption, where life feels like something happening to us, not something we’re actively shaping.
But the good news? Once you realise you have a choice – you can change everything.
You can reclaim your time. Your energy. Your focus. Your evenings. Your peace of mind.
It’s not about going cold turkey or quitting your phone. It’s about reconnecting with your life – and learning how to use technology in ways that serve you, not consume you. Your phone is a great tool for supporting your life. It shouldn't be your boss!
What: My Talks and Training Can Help You Break Free
This is where I can help.
I offer talks and training programmes designed to help individuals, teams, and leaders understand the hidden costs of habits like doom scrolling and take back control of all their pillars of well-being, health, and lives.
Through a mix of science, storytelling, and practical tools, I guide people to:
Understand the emotional and neurological impact of doom scrolling and other unhealthy habits
Recognise their triggers and patterns.
Build healthier habits.
Reduce anxiety and increase calm, focus and joy.
Reconnect with what really matters – purpose, people, and results.
I work with individuals, companies, and communities who want to create cultures where well-being and performance go hand in hand. Where people have the tools to protect their time, energy, and headspace -not just for productivity but for a richer, more meaningful life.
If you’re tired of your time slipping away and want to feel more energised, intentional and grounded, this is your invitation. Contact me at hello@calodagh.com
Let’s turn your evenings back into a time of rest and spending quality time with yourself focusing on what matters most. Let’s give you back the space to think, feel, and live deeply again.
The scroll can wait. Your life cannot.