Over-stimulation & Addiction 

Endless feeds and constant streams of information keeps people engaged and creates a cycle of stimulation. With the seemingly never ending cycle, the brain remains in a heightened sense of alertness which delays the sleep cycle from properly executing. This alertness, known as over-stimulation, prevents the mind from reaching a state of relaxation, making the circadian rhythm work hard to achieve proper rest. This constant stimulation from multiple sources, such as notifications, social media, bright colors, loud noises, and other overly engaging content can cause the brain to have difficulty disengaging itself, consequently prolonging alertness.

"Many of us scan it hungrily, constantly; we hit refresh, and the stream starts anew.

The phenomenon of doomscrolling — one of the Oxford English Dictionary's words of the year in 2020 — rose to prominence during the pandemic when our upended lives prodded us to relentlessly track the latest COVID casualties. But more than four years later, we're still living through tremendous social, political, and economic unrest, and doomscrolling has emerged as an insidious threat to our minds and bodies"

Maureen Salamon, Executive Editor, Harvard Women's Health Watch

"In the digital age, information overload occurs primarily due to the rapid dissemination of data via the internet. Social media platforms, news websites, and various digital channels constantly feed us more sensory information than our brains can manage."

"Multitasking - constantly switching between apps, checking notifications and engaging in multiple digital activities simultaneously - fragments attention and weakens sustained focus. Short-form content, such as that found on TikTok and Instagram Reels, conditions the brain to expect instant gratification." 

Samer Elhajjar, Channel News Asia

"While many of us may be addicted to our phones, we actually crave peace and being in the moment — two things that phones do not offer. With constant information coming in, on top of day-to-day real life outside of technology, it’s no wonder we’re all overstimulated."

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