How to stay informed without doomscrolling
If the news leaves you anxious and reactive, you’re not alone. The problem is usually not “you” — it’s the incentives: endless updates, outrage, and notifications. Below is a simple routine that helps you stay informed without getting pulled into the feed.
The 3-minute rule
Your goal is understanding, not volume. Pick one short window per day to catch up (3–10 minutes). Outside that window, don’t “check the news.”
- Turn off push notifications for news apps.
- Pick one time you check the news (morning or early afternoon).
- Stop when you’ve learned the “shape” of the day.
Choose fewer sources, but better ones
Doomscrolling thrives on volume and novelty. Summaries and curated briefs reduce noise and help you keep context.
- Prefer sourced summaries over hot takes.
- Read fewer stories, but read them more carefully.
- When something matters, go to the primary source.
Add a reflection step (30 seconds)
The fastest way to reduce anxiety is to convert information into meaning. Try this after you read:
- What actually changed today?
- Why does it matter (to me or my community)?
- Is there anything I can do, or should I just note it and move on?
A simple daily routine
- 3 minutes: read a short brief
- 30 seconds: reflect (what changed, why it matters)
- Done: close the tab
That’s the whole idea behind The Tiny Rock: a calmer daily brief that encourages reflection instead of endless clicking.