Do you feel stressed or anxious after staring at your phone, mindlesslessly scrolling through post after post? Do you have a nagging inner voice that screams, “You’re wasting away your precious time when you could be (fill in the blank)?”
Recent research reaffirms what you’re feeling. According to Harvard Health, doomscrolling can lead to poor mental health, disturbed sleep and increased stress.
In a challenge initiated by TheChallenge.Org, participants noted a huge difference in their lives when they replaced doomscrolling with reading. The study authors reported that “reading 20-100 pages of a pleasurable book every day for 30 days appears to be one of the single most effective, scalable, and side- effect-free interventions available for improving adult mental well-being and sleep in the modern digital environment.”
One library patron, the mother of a 2-year-old and 5-year old, says, “I started noticing that I just don’t feel well after scrolling for an extended period of time. Physically, my brain feels foggy and my eyes are strained. My moods aren’t as pleasant, and I disliked feeling like I was being controlled by my phone.” She noticed a big difference once she picked up a book instead of her phone. “Reading is another way to keep my mind busy, and I feel so much better after a dose of reading than scrolling. I also feel like it’s a great example to set for my kids, allowing a book to hold my attention rather than a device.”
If you’re ready to try reading away your doomscrolling habit, the library can help! Below are some ways to find an absorbing book to get you started.
Start your breakup with doomscrolling by reading a few pages a day or replacing a specific block of screen time, like just before bed, and see if it begins making a difference for you. Your next great read may lead to better sleep, lower stress and a renewed love of reading.
To use the library’s free services, sign up for a free library card online, at your nearest library building or on board the bookmobile.
Use the Book Oracle
Tell us about topics you’re interested in or books you enjoyed in the past, and we’ll develop a book list for you.
Try out the Book Oracle today!
If You Liked This as a Kid, Read This as an Adult
Our staff have come up with a great list of books pairing kids titles with books for adults.
Find the reading list in our catalog.
Read an eBook
Instead of using your device to look at social media, read an eBook through the library’s Libby or Hoopla services. (Pro tip: your device has controls that can remind you about reading time and help you avoid unwanted apps while you’re reading.) Get started with eBooks on Libby or Hoopla.
More Book Lists
Get reading suggestions from the many book lists our staff and others have created in the library’s catalog. To find lists, visit online catalog or, in the mobile app, scroll down to “Staff Lists” in the Home tab.
Try the One Read Book
Join the community in reading the 2026 One Read title “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt. Learn more about One Read, the author’s visit on Sept. 22 and all One Read programs.