What is bloomscrolling? Meet doomscrolling’s happier alternative.

An increasingly popular alternative to the negative habit of doomscrolling is bloomscrolling. Bloomscrolling involves actively seeking out content that inspires, calms, or uplifts, such as nature footage, funny clips, or stories of people helping each other. This contrasts with doomscrolling, where a distressing post can lead to another, creating a cycle of anxiety and worry.

Bloomscrolling encourages users to open an app with a positive destination, choosing content they enjoy rather than passively waiting for what appears. While it doesn't require ignoring the news, the goal is to maintain a healthier online balance, preventing feelings of anxiety, anger, or overwhelming stress.

Research supports the idea that viewing uplifting content can have positive effects. A 2021 study found that images of natural and built environments made participants feel more comfortable and relaxed. Another 2012 study showed that viewing cute images, such as puppies and kittens, led to better performance on tasks involving dexterity or visual searching compared to viewing adult dogs and cats.

To try bloomscrolling, individuals can make deliberate choices about what they watch and when they stop. Starting points could include life on Svalbard with Arctic scenery, cabin routines, and appearances from a dog, or upbeat content like finding and cooking edible plants. For those who still want to stay informed, positive news accounts focusing on environmental progress are also available.

Setting a time limit is crucial, as even positive content can become distracting or mentally draining when scrolling goes on too long. The key is to find content that brings inspiration and consider how to apply that positivity in real life, such as making a recipe, sketching, spending time in nature, or sharing uplifting clips with friends.