Happy April, Hillers! As the end of the school year quickly approaches, it’s hard to feel motivated to do just about anything. As teenagers, the only urge we have is to sit and scroll on our phone. However, constantly being on your phone, otherwise known as “doomscrolling,” can actually lead to physical, mental and social problems down the road.
On average, teenagers spend around 4.8 hours on social media each day. Excessive use of electronic devices, especially exposure to quick entertaining videos, can lead to constant overstimulation of the brain, causing it to release adrenaline and cortisol. This can lead to depression and anxiety. Even worse, social media apps make it so their algorithm is borderline addictive, making it hard for people to get off their phone and enjoy life.
So, what can students do to avoid overstimulation and veer away from doomscrolling? There is one simple solution: find a hobby!
Hobbies are activities that are completely focused on relaxation and satisfaction. Many say hobbies are the key to reducing stress and living a happier life. Hobbies get people off of the couch and into the real world, while also fostering a place for personal development through progressions of knowledge and skill.
Hobbies are completely customizable. They can be done individually or as a group, and can be as peaceful or intense as someone would like. The most common hobbies include reading, gardening and fishing, but the wonderful world of hobbies goes so much deeper. There are incredibly uncommon hobbies such as collecting old coins, miniature baking and whittling.
Unfortunately, many people are hesitant to start new hobbies. Some people fear it will be too expensive or fear they will not have enough time to indulge in it. However, hobbies can range from cheap to expensive, as well as from low-maintenance to high-maintenance.
For example, gardening is both expensive and high-maintenance. Gardening can take up a lot of time and the cost of seeds, soil, plots and garden tools can add up to be pretty pricey. On the contrary, a hobby such as reading can be cheaper and not take as much time. Furthermore, some hobbies can even turn into a business and provide an opportunity to turn a profit.
Overall, hobbies are a great way to stay away from the phone and immerse yourself into the physical world. Go out and try a new hobby today!
