This was a truly horrid thought I had the other day when I was walking over the river while marveling at the water, the city lights, cars, and people. Scrolling and walking do have similarities and realizing this was valuable to me. Scrolling simulates visual stimuli moving across our field of vision as we navigate a digital landscape.
Taking a walk outside, making dinner, talking to a friend in person, or even just wandering around my apartment have all worked to minimize scrolling urges for me. They all also tend to involve the movement of my visual field with constant new stimuli.
Its also important to note that none of these tasks require intensive demands to focus attention. If I want to doom scroll I probably want to relax my brain from concentrated attention while engaging in a repetitive task. Just walking around my apartment is better than scrolling and often more realistic than reading. Finding ways to relax and procrastinate without using screens may seem counter-intuitive but I think it gives me more freedom. Plus I have never regretted going on a walk.
