I used to be hopelessly addicted to short videos. Scrolling till the wee hours was my norm, leaving me feeling groggy and unproductive the next day. 😭 I felt like my memory was declining, my attention span was shrinking, and my anxiety levels were through the roof! Later I realized that short videos can actually be harmful to our brains!
The Harmful Effects of Short Videos and Why:
- Impaired Cognitive Abilities and Memory:
- Reason: Short video platforms use algorithms to recommend content based on your preferences, keeping you in your comfort zone. This lack of deep thinking and diverse information stimulation can lead to a decline in cognitive abilities.
- Symptoms: Memory loss, difficulty concentrating, decreased productivity in work and studies, difficulty engaging in deep thinking.
- Increased Anxiety and Depression:
- Reason: Short videos are filled with fragmented information, which can easily lead to information anxiety. The constant pursuit of likes and followers can also trigger comparison and self-doubt, exacerbating anxiety and depression.
- Symptoms: Mood swings, frequent feelings of anxiety, irritability, emptiness, and even symptoms of depression.
- Negative Impact on Sleep Quality:
- Reason: Scrolling through short videos before bed can suppress melatonin production, making it difficult to fall asleep and reducing sleep quality.
- Symptoms: Difficulty falling asleep, poor sleep quality, frequent dreaming, daytime fatigue.
- Addictive Behavior:
- Reason: Short video platforms use algorithmic mechanisms to constantly push eye-catching content, stimulating dopamine release in the brain, which creates a sense of pleasure and leads to dependence and addiction.
- Symptoms: Difficulty controlling the amount of time spent watching short videos, inability to stop even when aware of the harm, experiencing withdrawal symptoms (such as anxiety and irritability).
- Impact on Real-life Social Interactions:
- Reason: Excessive immersion in virtual social interactions can reduce interaction with friends and family in real life, leading to a decline in social skills and even social anxiety.
- Symptoms: Reluctance to communicate with others, lack of social skills, feelings of loneliness and isolation.
I tried everything to quit:
- Deleting the apps: Only to reinstall them later, repeating the cycle endlessly…
- Setting screen time limits: Didn’t work, I just dismissed the alerts and kept scrolling…
- Asking friends to hold me accountable: Failed miserably because they were addicted too…
Just when I was about to give up, I stumbled upon a surprisingly simple and effective method that finally helped me break free from my short video addiction! 🎉🎉🎉
It’s called: Switching my phone to grayscale mode!
Yes, it’s that easy! I thought it was a bit silly at first, but the results were truly remarkable!
How it works:
- Go to your phone’s settings and find “Accessibility” or “Display & Brightness.”
- Look for “Color Filters” or “Grayscale” and turn it on.
You’ll notice that all the colors on your screen will turn to shades of gray, making short videos instantly lose their appeal and become incredibly boring! You won’t feel like scrolling for long, and naturally, you’ll start watching less and less!
My experience:
- Improved focus: No longer distracted by colorful videos, my productivity at work and studies has skyrocketed!
- Reduced anxiety: I feel much calmer and less overwhelmed without the constant bombardment of information.
- Better sleep: I’m no longer staying up late scrolling, which has resulted in significantly better sleep quality.
If you’re also struggling with short video addiction, I highly recommend giving this method a try! It’s incredibly effective! 👍