Is Doomscrolling affecting your mental wellbeing? What can employers do to help?

Doomscrolling, a term coined during the pandemic, refers to the habit of continuously scrolling through negative news and social media posts, often leading to increased anxiety and stress.

The impact on your mental wellbeing could include:

• Increased anxiety and stress: Constant exposure to negative news can heighten feelings of anxiety and stress
• Sleep disruption: Nearly a quarter of people surveyed said screen time before bed is the third biggest barrier to sleep and research suggests poor sleep makes us twice asresponsive to stress

In the workplace, this could mean that if faced with stressful situations, employees are more likely to overreact, and if this stress carries over into home life, it could exacerbate sleep issues – resulting in more serious mental health conditions like anxiety or depression, which can increase workplace absence and affect productivity

• Reduced productivity: Time spent doomscrolling can detract from productive activities and personal interactions

Employers can play a crucial role in mitigating the effects of doomscrolling on employees’ mental health. Suggested strategies:

• Recognise unhealthy habits: Employers should be aware of young employees who may be presenting an unhealthy relationship or addiction to social media. Signs to watch out for: someone who constantly uses their phone to procrastinate, checks notifications throughout the day, constantly monitors likes and shares, only communicates with others via social media; someone who regularly takes photos or sends voice notes at work
• Encourage breaks: Promote regular breaks and encourage employees to disconnect from digital devices during non-work hours
• Promote Mental Health Awareness, create a supportive work environment: Foster a culture where employees feel comfortable discussing their mental health concerns and seeking support