Why Sitting on Our Phones Isn’t Really Relaxing

Why Sitting on Our Phones Isn’t Really Relaxing—and How We Can Actually Recharge

Have you ever taken a break and decided to scroll on your phone, only to realize you feel even more tired when your break is over? Many of us go through this, thinking that scrolling will help us unwind, but it doesn’t quite work that way. Surprisingly, our brains are wired to find social media and news interesting, but not necessarily relaxing. Here’s why, and how understanding this can help us take breaks that actually make us feel better.

Why Scrolling Isn’t Relaxing

When we sit down with our phones, we often get sucked into a cycle of checking out what people are doing, reading updates, or watching funny videos. This seems harmless, but our brains are always busy in the background, working hard without us even realizing it. You see, our brains are designed to search for things that might help us survive, whether that’s finding out what’s happening in the world, seeing what people like, or noticing trends and dangers.

Social media is like a treasure chest of “survival” information for our minds. Even though we don’t consciously think of it this way, our brains treat things like social approval, news, or even seeing others’ successes as important data that might help us in some way. This triggers a “pleasure chemical” called dopamine, which feels good but keeps us wanting more. It’s why we scroll for longer than we intended and why we find it hard to stop even when we’re tired. But this kind of “break” isn’t actually helping us recharge.

What’s Missing From Phone Breaks

Scrolling on our phones feels busy because it keeps our brains in high gear, sorting, analyzing, and comparing information. Real relaxation, though, comes from letting our minds unwind, not from bombarding them with new data. When we’re on social media, it’s easy to think we’re relaxing, but in reality, we’re just giving our brains more to process. So instead of feeling rested, we often end up feeling drained or even stressed.

How to Actually Recharge

So what can we do instead? Understanding why social media doesn’t relax us is the first step to taking more effective breaks. Here are some ideas that can help us feel more truly rested:

1. Try Quiet Activities: Think about reading a book, listening to calming music, or just sitting quietly with your thoughts. These types of activities let your brain slow down and don’t require it to keep gathering and analyzing information.

2. Go Outside or Move Around: Taking a short walk or just being in nature can help us clear our minds. Movement helps us release any built-up tension, and being outside gives our brains a break from screens and new information.

3. Practice Deep Breathing or Meditation: Taking a few minutes to breathe deeply or try meditation can be surprisingly refreshing. These activities help calm the nervous system and allow your mind to rest, which is what we’re often looking for in a break.

4. Be Mindful of Phone Time: It’s okay to use your phone for fun and connection, but being aware of when and why you’re using it can help you decide if it’s truly restful. You might notice when you feel tired from it and choose a different activity next time.

Take Breaks That Help You Feel Better

Breaks should leave us feeling refreshed, not drained. By understanding why scrolling on our phones doesn’t give us the rest we need, we can start choosing activities that help us actually relax. The next time you have a break, consider trying something different that lets your brain truly unwind. You might be surprised at how much better you feel.