10 Things to Do Instead of Doom-Scrolling in 2025
Welcome to 2025. We did the "right" things: went to school, worked hard, paid our taxes, and even recycled religiously. And yet, the world still seems to be unraveling faster than we can refill our reusable water bottles. And it’s only January. If you find yourself stuck under the covers, scrolling endlessly through bleak headlines and apocalyptic memes far into the afternoon, you're not alone. But, dear heart, doom scrolling isn't going to fix the world (or your mental health). Here are 10 things to try instead—starting right where you are.
1. Stretch It Out
You don’t have to leave bed yet. Put the phone down. Point your toes, arch your back, and do that full-body stretch that feels borderline luxurious. It’ll remind your nervous system that you’re alive and capable of feeling good—a nice change from existential dread.
2. Breathe And Re-center
Still horizontal? Perfect. Try a 4-7-8 breathing exercise: inhale for 4 counts, hold for 7, exhale for 8. Repeat this until you feel like you might fall asleep or float away. Focused breathing helps to calm your overactive mind (and bonus: it’s great prep for yelling at fascists later).
3. Start Your Day Mindfully
Before you open another news app, try a meditation app or a mindful Spotify playlist. Let soothing sounds or guided meditations gently transition your brain into a state of calm. Bonus: it’s a much better way to wake up than falling back into a doom scroll spiral. It’s important to stay engaged to remain informed, strategize and activate, and be prepared to take action if necessary; but overconsumption of negative anything is harmful.
4. Get Vertical (Sort Of)
Okay, time to sit up. Grab a pillow to hug (or scream into, it does help sometimes). Roll your shoulders back and wiggle your toes. Congrats—you’re no longer horizontal. Progress!
5. Hydrate Like It’s a Rebellion
Yes, it’s basic advice, but basic usually works. Chug some water. Make it fancy if you need to: throw in some lemon, mint, or cucumber. Every sip is a middle finger to dehydration and despair.
6. Reorganize Your Closet (to Whitney Houston)
Now that you’re up, channel the late great Whitney with “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” while you tackle that cluttered closet. Start by pulling out clothes you haven’t worn since 2020. Donate or repurpose them. Turning chaos into order feels oddly revolutionary.
7. Find Five Things That Spark Joy
Marie Kondo was onto something. Wander your space and pick five objects that genuinely make you smile. A plant. A photo. That candle that smells like a forest. Set them somewhere visible as a reminder that beauty still exists.
8. Move Like No One’s Watching
No need for a fancy workout. Dance. Stretch. Do three squats while pretending to be Wonder Woman. Moving your body releases endorphins and reminds you of your power. It’s cheesy but true.
9. Reach Out to Someone Who Gets It
Text a friend or family member who’s equally over it but still hanging on. Share a meme, a voice note, or just say, “Hey, thinking of you.” Connection is antidote to despair, and solidarity makes us all stronger.
10. Plan One Small Act of Resistance
Now that you’re up, hydrated, and semi-organized, channel your newfound energy into something meaningful. Write to your representative, attend a community meeting, or even just share a resource on social media. You’re part of a collective effort, and every small action counts.
Bonus Tip: Be Gentle With Yourself
If you can only manage steps 1 through 3 today, that’s okay. Rest is resistance, too. Recharge, regroup, and remember: you’re not alone, and we’re in this together.
The world may feel like it’s on fire, but we are resilient—and we’ve got more to offer than despair. So get up, show up, and keep going. We need you.
—Bryan van Haughton
