Solutions to Doomscrolling?

ScratchyCat

You need more self control. Believe in yourself. You dont need to buy stuff like that, just make a plan and stick with it. ie Keep your phone in your room for the calls by all means or if you use it as an alarm clock. But put it the other side of the room out of immediate reach before you get into bed and stick with it.

Some might even suggest that for every night you achieve this goal reward yourself by putting a £1 in a jar. In 50 days you'll have saved the £50 probably broken your habit as well. For every night you break the habit take £1 or even £2 out a a punishment.

RumRat

'Doomscrolling' the new word for 'Addiction'!!

Ergates

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82092077#Comment_82092077

Saying "You need more self control" in this context is a bit like saying "Just eat less" to someone struggling with their weight, or "Stop smoking" to someone who's trying to quit. If it was that simple, this wouldn't be an issue. The OP is not alone in this - modern social media platforms are deliberately designed to be addictive - that people end up doomscrolling shouldn't be a surprise, it's by design.

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82092975#Comment_82092975

Exactly. Often the actual purchase of such a piece of kit is the kind of mental reinforcement that can lead to a positive outcome.

monious

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6678603/solutions-to-doomscrolling

Honestly, just decide you are going to stop.

You can put rules in your router, delete the apps and be done with.

I have seen really serious MH issues in members of my family, one of whom was sectioned as the constant lack of sleep triggered a seizure and psychosis.

It is not just the apps, the light from the devices prevents proper REM sleep which has a cumulative effect.

Spending money on junk to stop junk has an absurd level of irony.

Note I am not knocking you, the massive companies that make this tripe do so for a reason, it addicts you and they monetise that addiction.

Like any addiction, find something to replace it, ideally something less interactive. For example, when I have trouble sleeping I put on old and naff tv from Roku channel, there are no ads and I fall asleep pretty quickly.

For you it might be better to just replace the habit with reading a good book, just make sure you are in a comfortable position so you can nod off. You can use Alexa to turn off lights and devices.

twopenny

If you're using data then get a package with limited data so you have to limit it or pay the penalty.

That's how it used to be in the beginning and, like budgeting money it makes you only buy what you'll use.

When home internet became unlimited for the same price I used to turn the router off at 9pm. Yes I could turn it on if I had to but there's a wait and that breaks the cycle of scrolling.

There's a reason why it's all unlimited now. It's not for your convenience but theirs.

I have a smartphone, no SIM, so I can only use the net at home. I can photograph, listen to my music when I'm out. Upload photos and post at home. I live in a beautiful place and thousands of the visiting tourists spend longer looking at social media than the view they've come for. I don't want to be one.