How do I stop doomscrolling the news?

The 24-hour news cycle is optimized for engagement, not information value—negativity bias means alarming headlines capture more attention, creating a distorted picture of reality that elevates anxiety. Studies show that heavy news consumers report higher levels of stress, anxiety, and feelings of helplessness compared to those who consume news in moderation.

Being informed doesn't require constant updates; most developing stories contain little new information hour to hour. Consider limiting news to once or twice daily at scheduled times, through curated sources rather than algorithmic feeds.

Choose long-form journalism over breaking news notifications. If a story is truly important, you'll hear about it. The goal isn't ignorance but proportionate attention—staying informed without drowning in a stream of anxiety-inducing updates.