From ASMR To DIY Ideas: How Gen Z Has Turned Screen Time Therapeutic

In a hyperconnected world, healing doesn’t always mean logging off; sometimes, it means finding the right window to look through. Over the last decade, we have been actively discussing mindfulness. Many individuals have brought in major lifestyle changes to their schedules. Be it doing yoga, meditation, or actively engaging in concentration-based activities like crocheting. While many debates around mindfulness and mental wellness portray our digital devices as a 'villain' due to their addictive nature and their impact on our eyes, a question still persists: is screen time low-key therapeutic?

The Rise Of Digital Self-Care

You see, nowadays people love watching ASMR videos, cooking videos, or “a day in my life” ones, usually made by Korean and Japanese creators. Many of these videos don’t even have background music, just some things clinking around that feel oddly satisfying. Sometimes, after a hard day at work, watching a person randomly unboxing something while tapping their nails on the product feels oddly satisfying.

Even Instagram's algorithms show that the videos receiving the maximum likes are those where a person is performing mundane tasks like going grocery shopping or making a dish. In a world where we are told how AI is becoming a threat to the future and how far we are technologically developing, we as individuals are also finding our comfort within the digital space. For us, digital self-care is about finding our own niche and exploring it for comfort.

The Aesthetic Trap Of Self-Care

Nowadays, many social media reels express that the idea behind self-care is going on a mindless shopping spree or doing a multi-step skincare routine, and then lifting weights at the gym or attending a fancy 'Pilates' class. These videos, despite being enticing, create an image of a pseudo 'self-care' aesthetic. They make their audience believe that buying expensive products alone can satiate their soul.

However, in all actuality, it depends on how people perceive the idea of self-care. For some, it is putting on a hydrating sheet mask; some find solace in cooking, while others, in order to release their burnout, love spending their time in rage rooms or doing extreme sports. Digital self-care emerges as the only sweet spot for people with diverse interests.

SheThePeople spoke to several people from diverse professions who shared their idea of digital self-care. From using apps like Letterboxd to connect with cinema lovers or get some academic recommendations, to listening to music to relieve some stress, almost everyone expressed that digital self-care helps them detox their stress without introspecting upon the idea of a 'self-care aesthetic.'

How Gen Z Is Redefining Wellness In A Hyperconnected World

As individuals, we're often expected to follow a fixed career path. The pressure to meet societal expectations frequently drives us to turn to our varied interests as a form of self-care. While wellness once emphasised digital detachment, the irony now lies in how digital platforms have become tools for self-exploration, helping us break free from rigid moulds. Here's how GenZ is redefining wellness: 

Learning As Self Care

Pahuni Choudhary, a tech entrepreneur, writer, and researcher, finds her solace in reading articles and listening to music. She also finds learning new things therapeutic.

"Screen time is very therapeutic for me. My phone is my learning partner. I keep learning on my phone whenever I get time between meetings, classes, and work. I use Duolingo to do my short 3–4 minute Japanese lessons when I am out. Otherwise, I read articles or some ebook, and of course, the music keeps me sane during stressful hours."

Bonding Through Literature & Cinema

Aishwarya Prasad, a medical student and poetess, finds herself connected with people who share similar interests. Her idea of digital self-care is bonding with like-minded people who share the same literary interests. 

"Apps like Mubi, where there is more global cinema and niche genre exposure, help me. I use Letterboxd and Goodreads too. Otherwise, Instagram has been a great place for community interaction and getting recommendations, be it films, literature, or academia."

Finding Innovation Through Doomscrolling

Nishi Mishra, a graduate in Mechanical Engineering, finds inspiration in DIY projects and inventive content, often turning to them as a springboard for her own innovations.

"My doomscrolling vessel of choice is TikTok. It’s like Pinterest with motion, excellent at matching hashtags and tailoring content more than Insta Reels or YouTube Shorts. In small doses, it's therapeutic. I love creating and inventing, so my feed is full of science advances and cool DIY projects. I also enjoy costumes and cosplay, engineering costumes, and escaping reality is thrilling. TikTok shows me global events and niche communities I’d never see otherwise. In moderation, it sparks ideas for the future." 

Music As A Reset Button

Varun Singh, an engineering student who spends hours working on a laptop, believes that listening to music helps him relieve stress. "When I get some time off from my tasks, I prefer listening to music or watching some episodes on Netflix. This cheat code helps me stay focused on my work."

Restocking Videos & Journaling For Calm

Aashi Dwivedi, a student, finds ASMR and restocking videos therapeutic. She also takes help from apps to meditate and maintains a digital journal to log her experiences.

"I use social media to take a break from my fast-paced life and the rigorous study environment around me. Social media is a platform where different people share their life experiences, and it's calming to watch how they overcome their own challenges. As for the fun part, makeup and skincare bits, repacking and restocking videos, ASMR, and daily productive vlogs are absolutely therapeutic. Subway Surfers is a fast-moving game that is fun to play. Another app that helps me relax would be my diary, a journaling one, and daily meditation apps."

The digital world isn’t a distraction. For many, it’s a mirror, reflecting who we are, and who we’re becoming. The phone isn’t just a screen; it’s a source of comfort, learning, and creative escape. Between the scrolls and swipes, there’s a quiet space where comfort lives, and sometimes, that’s all we need to keep going.

Views expressed by the author are their own.