Doom-scrolling: Not as Doom as One May Think.

Can scrolling actually work in your favor?

The term doom-scrolling surfaced around 5 years ago, during the early days of COVID-19. With global lock-downs forcing people inside, smartphones became lifelines to a world of constant, unsettling news. As curfews and uncertainty kept us glued to social media, we scrolled endlessly through pandemic updates, sending stress, anxiety, and even burnout soaring. Fast-forward to today, and doom-scrolling is not just about consuming bad news; it is about getting trapped in the infinite scroll, positive or negative, that starts to steal time from our real priorities.

You know the feeling—we all do. Fingers lazily swiping through Instagram, TikTok, Twitter […] Time seems to dissolve as you jump from one post to the next. An hour slips by, maybe two, and you wonder how it happened. You were not aiming to accomplish anything; you were just scrolling. And, surprisingly, it did not even feel like a waste.

At its best, scrolling can actually be a mental breather. In a world of constant hustle, a few minutes of mindless scrolling can be like a mini-vacation. It is not about productivity or ticking off tasks; it is just a chance to unwind, reset, and escape. Whether it is a funny meme, inspiring image, or quick world update, those few minutes of scrolling can be a welcome mental pause—a way to detach from life's pressures before diving back in.

But here is where things get tricky: a little scrolling is fine, but too much can turn into a “doom-scroll.” The line between a quick mental break and a time-sucking trap is thin. When scrolling starts to cut into your real-life obligations—relationships, work, personal goals—that is when it becomes a problem. Ironically, the very platforms enabling your scroll can make you feel guilty for it. Ever gotten that nudge from an app: “Been here a while […] maybe you could be learning something new?” It is a subtle prod, like saying, are you sure this is the best use of your time?

Then there are apps like Nibble, with pitches like “stop the doom-scrolling and learn something new.” They tap into guilt, pushing messages like “nibbling is better than scrolling.” And sure, maybe it is. But sometimes, you are just not looking to nibble—you just want to scroll. Scrolling, in these moments, becomes a mental reset, a quick detox from the constant push to “do more” or “be better.” Nibble’s productivity push may have a point, but sometimes, we just need space to scroll, unwind, and disconnect without the pressure to be productive.

The catch? Passive scrolling in moderation can be quite healthy. Sometimes you need a mental wander to step away from everything. But when it starts consuming hours, overshadowing your priorities, it is time to set some boundaries. Enjoy the scroll—just do not let it consume your life. Set time limits; even 15-30 minutes can be enough for a recharge. Use it as a way to connect to the social matrix, but do not forget that your real life needs you, too.

So, let us embrace the scroll for what it is: a short, refreshing escape. A grace period, a mental reboot. Scroll, recharge, then get back to what matters most. And if you ever feel guilty, remember—the apps telling you to “be productive” are also using you to grow their business. So maybe a little passive scrolling is not the worst thing after all. Just make sure it does not turn into a doom-scroll!