What Is Bloomscrolling? Here's The Solution To The Doomscrolling Hangover

You know those nights when you’re just lying in bed, scrolling, and suddenly your feed is a buffet of bad news, rage bait, drama and anxiety? Yes, that’s doomscrolling. However, the internet has now introduced a gentler, feel-good counter habit: bloomscrolling. It’s like telling your brain, “Hey, let’s look at something that doesn’t ruin my mood.” A small switch, but one that can genuinely change how you end your day.

What is Bloomscrolling?

Bloomscrolling is described as the intentional, mindful consumption of uplifting or positive digital content, rather than simply letting your feed drag you into negativity. Better content choices might include good news, nature imagery, accomplishments, creativity-sparking posts, basically a "curated diet" of positivity. 

Why it Matters 

Psychologists say that choosing positive content works like a healthy diet for your brain; it can lift your mood and create small pockets of joy. The neuroscience behind this is interesting. The “broaden and build” theory shows that positive emotions can widen our thinking, boost creativity and make us mentally flexible, which helps break the anxious, tunnel vision mindset that doomscrolling creates. Even simple things like watching nature clips or heartwarming content can reduce stress levels by lowering cortisol and activating the body’s relaxation response.

How to Do Bloomscrolling 

Curious to try bloomscrolling? Begin with these simple steps:

• Follow one new positive account each day. 
• Mute or hide feeds that feel draining or overwhelming.
• Set a time limit for your scroll, e.g., 5-10 minutes. Too much screen time, even if “positive”, has its risks. 
• Be intentional. It’s not about trading one endless scroll for another; if bloomscrolling becomes another mindless habit or a way to avoid dealing with emotions, its benefit diminishes. 

Limitations & Warnings

While bloomscrolling can be uplifting, it isn’t a magic fix. Too much screen time is still too much, even if the content is positive. Long hours online can still strain your eyes, trigger comparison or the pressure to consume only “perfect” content, and make it easy to slip back into negative scrolling cycles. Experts also remind us that what truly restores us often happens offline, like spending time with people we care about, being in nature, or having meaningful conversations. These real world moments are deeper antidotes than simply trying to scroll “better.”

Why It’s Relevant

In a world where we are constantly balancing roles, responsibilities and the pressures of social media, what we consume online truly matters. Mindful scrolling can become a small but meaningful form of self-care, a way to reclaim your feed for uplift rather than overwhelm. During phases of heightened stress, whether it’s work deadlines, major life changes or stressful global events, being intentional about the content you engage with can support emotional resilience. Bloomscrolling also connects to representation, choosing content that reflects your voice, joy, achievements and lived experiences. It’s not about chasing the “perfect life” online, but about filling your digital space with real, positive narratives of women, diversity and empowerment.

Your Little Bloomscrolling Ritual

• Take a 5-minute audit of your feed. Which accounts leave you feeling drained? Which leaves you feeling uplifted?
• Try a “bloom-scroll” session, set a timer for 10 minutes, follow one account that inspires you, and mute one account that drains you.
• Combine it with an offline activity, after your scroll, step away, maybe a brief walk, journaling, conversation, instead of staying stuck to your phone.
• Share your favourite “uplift accounts” in the comments or with your community, helping build positive digital ecosystems.

While we may not eliminate scrolling entirely, shifting from passive doomscrolling toward intentional bloomscrolling gives us choice, empowerment and an opportunity to influence the digital energy we absorb. It’s not only about what you scroll, but how, why, and for how long. Let’s make our scrolls count.

Views expressed by the author are their own.