Why You Can’t Stop Doomscrolling at Night (and 5 Real Ways to Stop)

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 Still Up? Let's Talk About Doomscrolling 

Told you guys I’d come back and talk about it.

Were you holding your breath waiting to read about it? (No? I get it.)
Funny thing is—I fell asleep scrolling... and woke up scrolling. Classic, right?

So here we are. It’s almost midnight in Michigan, and if you’re reading this, I’m guessing you’re in the same boat: lit up by your phone screen, brain buzzing even though your body’s begging for sleep.

Thought I’d write a little something for the other night owls out there, still stuck in the scroll. If you’re lying in bed in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor—or out in the quiet parts of the state—it’s the same story. Our phones have taken over bedtime.

Let’s talk doomscrolling.

What Even Is Doomscrolling?

Doomscrolling is that spiral you fall into when you just keep scrolling through bad news, negative headlines, social media rants, or stressful updates.
One minute you're checking the weather, and the next thing you know, you're deep into a Reddit thread about economic collapse, celebrity divorces, or why the world might be ending in 2045. 🙃

And it’s not always big doom. Sometimes it’s just endless content—TikToks, memes, drama, “For You” pages—that suck you in until suddenly it’s 2:47 AM and your thumb hurts.

Why We Get So Wrapped Up In Doomscrolling

Here’s the truth: our brains are wired for survival. Drama, danger, chaos—it lights us up. And in the digital world, we’re constantly scanning for threats even when there aren’t any real ones around.

Especially here in Michigan, where we get long winters, gray days, and a whole lotta time inside—we’re more likely to end up glued to our phones as a coping mechanism.

Plus, doomscrolling gives us this weird sense of control. Like, “If I just read one more article, I’ll finally understand what’s going on.” Spoiler: you won’t. You’ll just lose another hour of sleep.

And let’s be honest: sometimes we’re scrolling because we don’t want to sit quietly with our own thoughts. That silence can feel too loud, especially at night.

So… How Do We Stop? (Without Doing a Digital Detox in the Woods)

I won’t tell you to throw your phone in a drawer and meditate under a tree. Let’s be real—we’re modern humans in Michigan, not off-grid monks. But here are a few realistic ways to pump the brakes on late-night scrolling:

1. Set a "Scroll Cut-Off" Time

Not a bedtime. Just a “that’s enough of the internet” time.

Pick something like 11:30 PM. Set your phone to Wind Down Mode (iPhone) or use Android's Digital Wellbeing. Or literally set an alarm that says:

“Hey. Stop scrolling. You’re not learning anything new. You’re just spiraling.”

It sounds silly, but it helps.

2. Switch to Non-Stimulating Content

If you have to be on your phone, make it boring on purpose.

Try:

Let your brain wind down, not up.

3. Read Something Low-Stakes

Download a cozy e-book, browse a chill blog (like this one 😏), or even go down a Wikipedia rabbit hole about sea otters.

Anything’s better than a comment section meltdown or the latest “breaking” crisis.

4. Put Your Phone Just Out of Reach

Don’t throw it across the room—just move it to your nightstand or dresser. That little bit of distance gives your brain a chance to decide, “Do I really need to grab it again?”

Spoiler: you probably don’t.

5. Set a “Last Thought” Ritual

End your night with something simple that tells your brain:

“We’re done for the day.”

Could be:

  • One line in a journal

  • A gratitude note

  • A deep breath and a real lights-out moment
    Anything that feels like a clean mental break from the chaos.

You’re Not Alone in This

If you're still reading this in the middle of the night, you're not the only one.

Whether you're in a quiet town up north, a college dorm in Ann Arbor, or a studio apartment in downtown Detroit—doomscrolling is universal.

But just because everyone’s doing it, doesn’t mean you have to keep doing it too.

This post? Let it be your soft landing for the night. You’ve reached the end. No more scrolling needed.

Close the app.
Drop your phone.
Let your brain chill.

Catch you on the other side of sleep.

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