Trapped in scrolling addiction?

In today's fast-paced life, you scroll through social media every minute, mindlessly munching on endless feeds. A quick caffeine fix becomes a need, not a treat. Netflix throws at you one show after another while work emails chirp incessantly. This, my friend, is the trap of social media life. It is a cycle that feels good momentarily. But the consequences lurk beneath the surface. We chase that fleeting dopamine hit, the burst of pleasure, with each scroll, sip and click. But true joy, the kind that lasts requires more than that. Think of your brain as a delicate garden. Bombarding it with information overload is like tossing a bag of fertiliser on its fragile ecosystem. Dopamine receptors, those gateways to pleasure, get overwhelmed and burnt out. Sleep becomes an elusive dream. Modern life throws a lot at us. It is like a rollercoaster designed for different things. Our ancestors never had to deal with notifications popping up like popcorn kernels or the temptation of an entire world in their pocket. But we are not built for this.
This is where the ancient wisdom of the stoics comes in. Take a step back and observe your patterns. Are you scrolling just to numb out? Is using social media your stress reliever? Do you need something new and exciting every minute to feel alive? Once you acknowledge these patterns, it is time to reclaim your activity. Choose quality over quantity. Disconnect from the digital drip-feed and reconnect with the real world. Nourish your body with wholesome food, not empty calories. Find joy in quiet moments, in nature, in meaningful conversations. Remember, moderation is not deprivation. It's stepping off the treadmill of rediscovering the richness of a life lived with intention. It is about saying "no" to social media and "yes" to the senses, the mind and the soul. So, put your phone. Step out of the virtual world and take a deep breath. The world, real and beautiful, is waiting for you. Let us cultivate a garden of mindful pleasures, not a wasteland of empty social media.
Tanmoy Bhadra,
Vice President,
Human Resource Club,
North South University, Dhaka,
[email protected]