Take a real rest

Resting is not the same as avoiding.

So often when I work with people who need a break, the immediate thought is to “check out.” Instagram, TikTok, Facebook - they’ve all become a go-to form of relief for people who feel overwhelmed. Unfortunately, the end result is not as beneficial as we’d hoped when we propped our feet up and turned on Netflix or started doom scrolling.

It turns out, these habits that are so hard to break are related to dopamine. When we get too much of it too fast, our brains are wired to lead us into pain as a way to balance the pleasure. It makes sense, doesn’t it? Why, after an hour or two (or three…) of scrolling or binge watching, we feel our anxiety and depression amped up. And what do we want to turn to for relief? Back to the phone - because it works - at least for the moment.

It’s a never-ending cycle.

So let’s end it. One of the best ways we can hop out of the cycle is to fast from our addiction. If it’s your phone, you can remove the apps that grab your attention - just for a month. Try it out. See what happens when your dopamine levels out to normal. You might feel a whole lot better than you imagined.