The relentless churn of bad news isn’t simply correlated with rising anxiety – it’s actively reshaping our brains, and a growing number of people are finding that the antidote isn’t more information, but deliberate disconnection. Julia Gomez, a trending news reporter for USA TODAY, recently detailed her personal experience breaking a cycle of “doomscrolling” – the compulsive consumption of negative online content – and the surprising power of a decidedly low-tech solution: crochet. While the narrative often frames this as a quirky anecdote, Gomez’s experience aligns with a burgeoning body of research suggesting that engaging in focused, creative hobbies can offer a crucial buffer against the psychological toll of constant connectivity. It’s not about abandoning awareness, but about recalibrating how we engage with it.
The connection between excessive screen time and mental distress isn’t new. Research from the Mayo Clinic, conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, established a clear link: increased time spent on phones and consuming negative social media content directly correlated with heightened feelings of distress. The University of North Carolina Health Caldwell further clarified this, noting that constant exposure can exacerbate anxiety and depression, inducing feelings of panic and worry. Gomez’s own experience in August 2025 – a growing inability to focus, disrupted sleep, and a pervasive sense of impending doom – mirrored these findings. What’s often lost in headlines about “social media addiction” is the specific mechanism at play: the brain’s reward system becomes hijacked by the unpredictable stream of notifications and emotionally charged content, creating a feedback loop that’s difficult to break. Gomez found herself trapped in this loop, feeling guilty for unproductive scrolling yet unable to stop.
This piece references the USA Today report.
The turning point for Gomez wasn’t simply stopping doomscrolling, but replacing it with a tangible activity. She turned to crochet, a hobby she’d initially picked up in 2020 during the pandemic’s early days. This isn’t a coincidence. A 2020 study surveying 8,391 people across 87 countries revealed that 89.5% of crocheters reported feeling calmer, 82% happier, and 74.7% more useful after engaging in the craft. Crucially, participants actively used crochet to manage mental health challenges, including grief, chronic illness, and pain. The act of creation – transforming yarn into a physical object – provides a sense of agency and accomplishment that scrolling simply cannot replicate. This taps into the brain’s dopamine system in a healthier way, offering a more sustainable reward than the fleeting validation of likes and shares.
However, it’s important to avoid framing crochet as a universal panacea. The study’s participant base was overwhelmingly female (99%), raising questions about the generalizability of the findings. While the benefits of hobbies extend beyond crochet – research from the University of California, Los Angeles, demonstrates increased happiness and life satisfaction among seniors engaged in activities like golfing, gardening, and fishing – the specific neurological and psychological effects may vary depending on the activity. A 2025 study also highlighted that hobbies contribute to personal growth, stress reduction, and social connection. Interestingly, a 2020 study by Mental Health America found that hobbies were more helpful for the mental health of young people (ages 14-24) than social media itself, with 50% of those aged 14-18 and 36% of those aged 19-24 reporting positive effects from hobbies. This suggests a potential generational shift in coping mechanisms, or perhaps a greater awareness among younger demographics of the downsides of excessive social media use.
Gomez’s story isn’t about rejecting technology, but about mindful integration. She still uses her phone and social media, but now prioritizes content that supports her interests and well-being. The key takeaway isn’t the specific craft, but the principle of deliberate engagement. As we head into 2026, and the news cycle continues its relentless pace, consider this: what’s one activity you can consistently incorporate into your routine that demands your focused attention and provides a tangible sense of accomplishment? The question isn’t whether you can afford to disconnect, but whether you can afford not to.
