Doomscrolling has become an activity occupying an unhealthy amount of our days. However, gaining some distance between you and addictive apps like TikTok takes determination, and so does realizing how much time you actually waste.
If you’re finally fed up with the screen time for social media apps reaching new heights, we are here to help. In this list, you’ll find a variety of options for applying replacement therapy. Instead of shoving your smartphone, laptop, or another mobile device into the drawer, you reinvent the activity into something more positive!
Try daily-challenge type games/puzzles
Wordle is a word game that many people commit to doing each day as a little hobby. In general, it is a positive habit, not only satisfying your craving for entertainment but also putting your mind to work.
After finishing your daily Wordle challenge, consider visiting other similar daily word games, each introducing a different approach to the legendary game.
Another unique example is Wordwavr, which involves guessing a 5-letter word that has been transformed into a wave. While it might sound confusing, getting the first word right will feel highly rewarding!
Use podcasts or educational videos for background
Sometimes, people want to fill the silence as they relax. Instead of mindlessly scrolling through your feed, consider using YouTube to find a deep-dive video on a topic that has always sparked interest in you. You can find well-crafted content on even the most serious topics, and presenters are always finding ways to keep their stories entertaining.
Another perk of such videos is that you do not have to hold the device while they play. So, you can move your body by cleaning your house or simply going for a brief walk.
Use your online activities to make money
The most literal suggestion here would be to sell internet data to make additional income. You can use Honeygain to enable this unused bandwidth sharing, and earnings will slowly but surely accumulate in your account.
In addition to using your internet connection as an asset, you can monetize your everyday online activities. Shopping is one example you can slightly reinvent by using cashback services. Options like Ibotta let you earn/save by redeeming its offers.
Brief, easy-to-digest, lessons
Learning without the pressure or hour-long lessons could be much more suitable for the generations that continuously struggle with their attention span. Tools like Kinnu have adapted to today’s learners, providing brief lessons people can watch on the go. BeFreed works on a similar principle, and its sessions are also somewhere between five and fifteen minutes.
Try audiobooks if reading is challenging
Many people refuse to read books because they are challenging, but audiobooks are a solution they tend to overlook. If reading doesn’t interest you, it might be that you were looking in the wrong books.
Try to scout for genres or topics you find interesting and see if they have audiobook versions. Listening to them is much more productive than spending an hour scrolling social media. Also, check out trusted lists for non-readers that should provide at least a few potential candidates.
Replace browsing sessions with physical activities
If you regularly scroll for 1-2 hours after work, sign up for a gym to use this time more productively. Of course, the beginning is always the harshest, so find ways to motivate yourself to go to the gym. Maybe investing in quality gym clothes could help, or maybe you can create a smashing gym workout mix to pump your motivation through the roof.
Final thoughts
Overall, doomscrolling is not an activity you want as a hobby. It affects your mental and physical well-being, and can make you feel paranoid, pressured, and anxious. So, consider limiting your browsing time and switching to more positive activities instead.
