Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have experienced the obsessive drive to persistently scroll through their news and social media feeds and pay attention to distressing, negative information about the new virus. This act is called doomscrolling. There are several contributing factors that may cause doomscrolling, which include negativity bias, uncertainty, anxiety and fear of missing out (FOMO). Negativity bias refers to people's natural inclination to look for and read sad stories. Uncertainty refers to situations when an individual needs to know about a topic that is unclear or with multiple conflicting perspectives. Some people use doomscrolling to manage anxiety. However, the habit can also cause further anxiety. Doomscrolling may also be associated with FOMO, an anxious feeling you get when you find yourself having missed important information. The act of endlessly scrolling and seeing distressing information can affect your mental health by reinforcing negative thoughts and make you feel apprehensive and despondent. If you often find yourself lost in doomscrolling on social media or other news sites, there are some strategies you can try to stop it. First, block out time for social media. Blocking out a certain time in the day to check the news may be helpful. Setting boundaries on news intake, you can stay informed without getting totally overwhelmed. Second, get a hobby and exercise. People often use social media to alleviate boredom, which may result in doomscrolling. If you're feeling bored, try doing leisure activities that you often enjoy. Next, seek more positive stories. Focusing on negative stories might intensify the sense of danger and catastrophe, so there has to be a balance. You can visit various websites that are dedicated to reporting positive stories, such as the Good News Network or Positive News. Reading the news to stay updated on current events is important, but doomscrolling is different from simply wanting to stay informed. The important thing is not to stay immersed in the misery — set limits and take breaks.