Do you start your day in the morning with a quick follow-up of your accounts on social media, news apps, and emails?

Race against time to learn more information about the crises you are experiencing, such as the effects of wars, news of high prices, inflation and unemployment, and accidents that were caused by poverty or corruption.

Before you start drinking a cup of coffee, you have filled your head with a heavy crowd of thoughts and news that burden your mind, and make you feel bad without knowing the real reason for that.

You are not alone, millions of people follow the same habits and feel the same distress.

It's doomscrolling, which means immersing yourself in negative news.

A new study at the University of Florida finds that the term "doom scrolling" is a new and unique behavior that affects your psychological stability.

The study, published in the American Psychological Association's Journal of Technology, Mind, and Behavior, also developed a technique for measuring frequent scrolling of news of misfortunes and accidents, paving the way for researchers to further investigate the concept and understand people's obsessive focus on negative news.

Doom Scrolling: A recent behavior that affects your psychological stability (pixels)

Immerse yourself in the follow-up

Doom Scrolling gained immense popularity during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although the endless scrolling of news has helped people stay informed about outbreaks and rescue centers, it has also contributed to the fear and frustration of millions of people over the past two years.

This term means a typical response to this digital age.

It's the kind of information overload that is hard for people to avoid as a result of social platforms and news stalking us throughout the day.

Even in the workplace, we are constantly exposed to heaps of information at any given time.

From emails to mobile news in all its forms, our minds are constantly occupied and overburdened, until you feel that the pain of the whole world has gathered on your shoulders, and it cannot be eliminated.

According to a study conducted by psychologist Dr. Larry Rosen, entitled "An Investigation of Information Addiction Worldwide", it surveyed a thousand business managers around the world about their perceptions of information generated by technology.

More than 60% of them said that the excess of information made them feel stressed.

Lewis noticed a consistent response in his "focus groups," which he conducted with other managers, financial analysts, and information workers.

And when they are flooded with data, they make more mistakes, and misunderstand others.

What is the solution?

So if you're thirsty, it makes sense to stand under a faucet, not under Niagara Falls.

The endless scrolling of news helped people stay in the know but also contributed to fear and frustration (pixels)

Get rid of this burden

Remember that friend who doesn't follow most of the news and is cut off from social media?

He may seem absent from the events that occur in this world full of crises, but when you talk to him, you find him calmer and more focused than you, and you are the owner of a very loud mind.

It's information overload, that's the difference between you and your friend.

Overload occurs when the amount of information we are exposed to exceeds our processing capacity, which political science professor Bertram Gross coined the term “information overload” in his 1964 book The Management of Organizations.

And while the internet has been a blessing in many ways, it has also been a curse.

Thanks to the internet, we are exposed to huge amounts of new information every day, yet we don't have enough time to process most of what we take in.

Even the most successful business leaders suffer from analysis paralysis, unable to make decisions due to vast amounts of information, which ultimately affects strategic vision in the workplace.

Why should you bypass the reception of the information glut?

There is a limit your brain can't cross to absorb any other data, that is, when you reach the augmentation of real information.

You may feel so overwhelmed and experience brain fog that your ability to make decisions diminishes.

Symptoms of information overload are commonly observed in the workplace.

For example, a typical meeting exceeds its time limit because attendees want to constantly participate in the exchange of information.

While this can be useful for decision-making, it can also lead to augmentation of information, which means at the moment that discussion takes up the most space while actual production is zero.

Even the most successful business leaders suffer from analysis paralysis due to vast amounts of information (pixels).

Excess consumption impairs your efficiency

Information overload forces you to multitask while answering texts, emails, and phone calls at the same time.

It also ultimately affects your decision-making process.

Rather, every time you make a decision, you are forced to present your information burden to others in the form of an explanation or justification.

Consuming too much information at once affects your mind and focus.

It makes you less efficient because you are tired after excessive mental performance and over-processing of information.

Most importantly, the information overload of communication affects your mental, emotional and physical health.

It can cause feelings of stress and chronic anxiety.

How to bypass the information load?

The biggest challenge with increased information is that it makes you feel paralyzed.

You have a lot of data, but you are unable to act on that data.

Self-control can be helpful in managing and overcoming the information burden.

So consider these strategies if you want to get rid of these burdens:

  • lighten your loads

The best way to control the information in your mind is to do a mental dump.

Try to clear your mind by writing down any thoughts that are blocking your flow.

Clear your mind by focusing on what's important, and prioritizing that.

  • Use your time wisely

There will be many tasks such as responding to text messages and emails, arranging work assignments and allocating assignments.

Set aside an hour a day in which you can complete all of these tasks at once.

You can schedule such tasks at the end of the work day, or as per your business requirements.

Short video clips are a mess in your mind and contribute to distraction and loss of focus (pixels)

  • Avoid watching short videos

Yes, short video clips are like a complete mess that breaks into your mind, you may find them funny and enjoyable and do not need more focus, and they are also worth sharing with friends to laugh together, but in fact these clips contribute to distracting your mind and losing your focus, and your constant feeling of crowding in your head without even realizing it. There is something really important on your mind.

  • stay away from toxic

You are overburdened, so why add more useless information to your mind, stay away from those who give you extra negative information without needing it.

They contribute to your constant discomfort, even though you're curious to know more.

Ask yourself: What if I didn't hear about this incident?

Would my behavior or my day in general have been affected?

If you find no real benefit in learning about the incidents or negative news your friend has reported to you, you should stay away from him, because he gives you negative energy that eats up your energy.

Stay away from those who give you excessive negative information without the need (pixels).

  • Give yourself a break from thinking

Your mind needs rest as much as your body needs.

Avoid mental fatigue by disconnecting from the digital world.

Take serious measures to disable notifications from social media platforms.

Turn off the internet before bed, and turn off your phone for at least an hour during daylight hours.

Use your free time to read, meditate, or do nothing at all.