What Is Doomscrolling and Why Do We Do It?

Doomscrolling is when you mindlessly scroll through social media feeds, news articles, or other content for extended periods, often consuming negative or anxiety-inducing information. You might start by checking one notification, then find yourself still scrolling an hour later. The term comes from the feeling that you're scrolling through doom, consuming endless streams of content that often make you feel worse.

I can totally relate to spending hours on social media without even realizing. I usually spend hours scrolling after I just wanted to check something quickly. The problem is that social media apps are designed to keep you engaged. They use algorithms that show you content you're likely to interact with, and they make it easy to keep scrolling without thinking about it.

Why Traditional Methods Don't Work

Many people try to reduce doomscrolling by deleting social media apps, but this rarely works long term. Deleting or permanently blocking all social media apps isn't really sustainable because you will end up installing them again as soon as you get the chance. The same goes for muting notifications. Some people mute social media notifications thinking it will help, but that often makes them even more tempted to check if someone messaged them.

The problem with these approaches is they treat doomscrolling like something you can just stop by willpower alone. But doomscrolling is a habit, and habits are hard to break without the right tools. You need something that helps you become more aware of your usage while still allowing you to use your apps when you want to.

How a Stop Doomscrolling App Can Help

A stop doomscrolling app works by making you more intentional about your phone usage. Instead of just blocking access completely, the best apps help you earn your screen time through positive activities. This way you're not just restricted. You're motivated to change your habits.

Using a Screen Time Blocker to Reduce Doomscrolling

A screen time blocker is one of the most effective tools for reducing doomscrolling. Unlike just setting time limits that you can easily bypass, a screen time blocker that converts activity into screen time gives you a reason to move before you can access your apps. This creates a natural break in the doomscrolling cycle.

I recently came across an app called Moshen. It converts physical activity into screen time. For example, one of the things it does is for every 100 steps I walk, it gives me 1 minute of screen time. There are a lot of other ways to earn screen time too, but that's the main one I use to unlock apps. This approach works because it makes you pause before you can scroll. You have to earn your time first, which breaks the automatic habit of opening apps and scrolling mindlessly.

How to Set Up a Screen Time Blocker

Setting up a screen time blocker to reduce doomscrolling is straightforward:

• Download the app: Find a screen time blocker that converts activity into screen time
• Choose which apps to block: Select the apps where you tend to doomscroll most, like social media apps
• Set your activity goals: Decide how many steps or calories should equal one minute of screen time
• Connect to your health data: Let the app track your steps and activity automatically
• Start earning screen time: Walk, exercise, or go to the gym to unlock your apps

The Role of Digital Detox in Reducing Doomscrolling

A digital detox can be an effective way to reset your relationship with your phone and reduce doomscrolling. The key is finding a digital detox approach that's sustainable. If you want to reduce your social media time without completely getting rid of your apps because that's not sustainable, you should try screen blocker apps. I recently found out about one called Moshen, and it converts your physical activity into screen time. For example, walking 100 steps gets converted to 1 minute of screen time. There are a lot of other ways too but that's the main one I use to unlock apps.

Sometimes the best way to reset your relationship with technology is to unplug from technology completely for short periods, then use a digital detox app to maintain healthier habits when you return. This combination helps you break the doomscrolling habit while still being able to use your apps in a controlled way.

Practical Strategies to Reduce Doomscrolling

Beyond using a stop doomscrolling app, there are other strategies that can help you break the habit. The key is combining multiple approaches to create lasting change.

Set Intentions Before Opening Apps

Before you open a social media app, ask yourself what you're looking for. Are you checking for messages? Looking for specific information? Or are you just bored? Setting an intention helps you become more aware of why you're opening the app, which can reduce mindless scrolling.

Use Time Blocks

Instead of scrolling throughout the day, set specific times when you'll check social media. Maybe you check it once in the morning and once in the evening. This way you're not constantly opening apps throughout the day, which reduces the chance of doomscrolling.

Replace Scrolling with Activity

When you feel the urge to scroll, try doing something active instead. Take a short walk. Do some exercises. The more you move, the more screen time you earn if you're using a screen time blocker. This creates a positive cycle where movement replaces scrolling.

How Moshen Helps Reduce Doomscrolling

I used a ton of screen blocking apps and the best one I found is Moshen. It lets you lock whatever apps you want and the only way to unlock them is to exercise. It tracks your steps, calories burned, even time spent at the gym. You can pick how many steps convert to a minute of screen time. For example, 100 steps unlocks a minute. I would really recommend it.

What makes Moshen effective for reducing doomscrolling is how it combines blocking with earning. You block the apps where you tend to doomscroll most, but you can unlock them by being active. This way you're not just restricted. You're motivated. Every time you want to scroll, you have a reason to move first. This breaks the automatic habit of opening apps and scrolling mindlessly.

Moshen tracks your steps, calories burned, even time spent at the gym. You can pick how many steps convert to a minute of screen time. For example, 100 steps converts to 1 minute of screen time, and you can adjust it to be 200 steps to 1 minute or 50 steps and so on. This flexibility makes it work for different fitness levels and schedules. If you're looking for more ways to reduce screen time, combining a screen time blocker with other strategies can create lasting change.

Making It Sustainable

The biggest challenge with reducing doomscrolling is making it sustainable. Many people try apps for a week or two, then delete them because they're too restrictive or have paywalls. The key is finding an approach that works long term.

I think deleting or permanently blocking all social media apps isn't really sustainable because you will end up installing them again as soon as you get the chance. You should look into screen blocker apps that still let you use it but in a controlled way. I use Moshen. It converts physical activity into screen time. For example, one of the things it does is for every 100 steps I walk, it gives me 1 minute of screen time. There are a lot of other ways to earn screen time too, but that's the main one I use to unlock apps.

Real Results from Reducing Doomscrolling

When you successfully reduce doomscrolling, you start to notice changes in your daily life. You become more aware of how much time you spend on your phone. You start moving more because you know it earns you screen time. You become more intentional about when and how you use your apps.

My friend recently recommended that I check out an app called Moshen and it is actually helping me become more focused and disciplined. I usually spend hours scrolling after I just wanted to check something quickly. Now I'm more aware of my usage because I have to earn my screen time through activity. This awareness has helped me reduce doomscrolling significantly.

Conclusion

Reducing doomscrolling doesn't have to mean giving up your apps completely. A stop doomscrolling app provides a better solution. It lets you control which apps to block while giving you ways to earn screen time through physical activity. Whether you use a screen time blocker, practice digital detox, or combine multiple strategies, the key is finding an approach that works for you.

The best stop doomscrolling app converts physical activity into screen time. It tracks your steps, calories burned, and gym time. It lets you adjust settings to fit your lifestyle. Most importantly, it makes reducing doomscrolling a positive experience rather than just restriction. You become more active while still being able to use your favorite apps when you've earned the time.

If you want to reduce doomscrolling without completely getting rid of your apps, consider trying a stop doomscrolling app like Moshen. Find one that works for you, set it up to block the apps where you tend to doomscroll most, and start earning your screen time through movement. This approach is sustainable, motivating, and actually works long term.