Latest News: Arthur Brooks explains how people can

Have you ever found yourself mindlessly scrolling through your social media feeds, comparing your life to the highlight reels of others, and feeling a sense of emptiness and dissatisfaction with your own life? You're not alone in this feeling. In today's digital age, it's easy to get caught up in the endless cycle of social media, where we constantly consume information, compare ourselves to others, and feel pressure to present a perfect online persona. This phenomenon has been dubbed the social media doom loop, and it's a cycle that many of us struggle to escape.

The social media doom loop is a real and pervasive issue, with many of us spending hours each day scrolling through our feeds. According to a 2025 study by the Pew Research Center, nearly 70 percent of adults in the United States use social media, and many of us are spending more and more time on these platforms. But while social media can be a useful tool for connecting with others and staying informed about current events, it can also have a number of negative effects on our well-being. For example, a study by experts at the University of California, Los Angeles found that people who spend more time on social media are more likely to experience feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression.

So why do we get caught up in the social media doom loop, despite the negative effects it can have on our lives? According to Arthur Brooks, a renowned expert on happiness and well-being, it's because social media taps into some of our deepest human desires, such as the desire for connection, validation, and a sense of belonging. When we post something on social media and receive likes and comments, it can give us a temporary feeling of happiness and fulfillment. But this feeling is short-lived, and soon we find ourselves craving more likes and comments, and feeling pressure to present a perfect online persona. This can lead to a never-ending cycle of comparison and competition, where we constantly feel like we're not good enough and need to do more to keep up with others.

But Brooks argues that there is a way to break free from this cycle and cultivate a healthier relationship with social media. The first step, he says, is to recognize the ways in which social media can be detrimental to our well-being, and to make a conscious effort to use it in a more mindful and intentional way. This might involve setting limits on our social media use, such as not checking our phones during meals or conversations, or taking breaks from social media altogether. It might also involve being more mindful of the content we consume on social media, and seeking out sources of information and connection that promote positive and uplifting messages.

For example, instead of scrolling through our feeds mindlessly, we might try to use social media in a more intentional way, such as by following accounts that promote positivity and self-care, or by using social media to connect with others who share our interests and passions. We might also try to limit our social media use to specific times of the day, such as during our lunch break or in the evening, rather than constantly checking our phones throughout the day.

Another key strategy for escaping the social media doom loop, according to Brooks, is to focus on cultivating meaningful relationships and connections in our offline lives. This might involve joining a club or organization that aligns with our interests, volunteering in our community, or simply spending more time with friends and family. By investing in our offline relationships and connections, we can build a sense of belonging and fulfillment that is not dependent on social media, and that can help us to feel more grounded and secure in our lives.

For instance, we might try to schedule regular check-ins with friends and family, such as weekly dinner dates or monthly outings. We might also try to join a local community group or club that aligns with our interests, such as a book club, sports team, or hiking group. By investing in these offline relationships and connections, we can build a sense of community and belonging that is not dependent on social media, and that can help us to feel more happy and fulfilled.

In addition to these strategies, Brooks also emphasizes the importance of practicing self-compassion and self-awareness in our social media use. This might involve recognizing when we're feeling anxious or insecure, and taking steps to address these feelings in a healthy and constructive way. It might also involve being kinder and more compassionate towards ourselves, and recognizing that it's okay to not be perfect and to make mistakes. By practicing self-compassion and self-awareness, we can develop a more positive and healthy relationship with social media, and avoid getting caught up in the doom loop of comparison and competition.

For example, we might try to practice self-compassion by being kinder and more gentle with ourselves when we make mistakes or experience setbacks. We might also try to practice self-awareness by recognizing when we're feeling anxious or insecure, and taking steps to address these feelings in a healthy and constructive way. This might involve taking a few deep breaths, going for a walk, or engaging in another activity that helps us to relax and unwind.

Overall, Brooks' insights offer a powerful reminder that we have the power to choose how we use social media, and to cultivate a healthier and more positive relationship with it. By being more mindful and intentional in our social media use, focusing on meaningful relationships and connections in our offline lives, and practicing self-compassion and self-awareness, we can break free from the social media doom loop and find more fulfillment and happiness in our lives. As Brooks notes, it's not about completely eliminating social media from our lives, but about using it in a way that promotes positive and uplifting messages, and that supports our overall well-being.

By taking a more mindful and intentional approach to social media, we can harness its power to build connections and community, rather than getting caught up in the doom loop of comparison and competition. We can use social media to connect with others who share our interests and passions, to learn new things and stay informed about current events, and to express ourselves and share our creativity with others. By using social media in a more intentional and mindful way, we can build a healthier and more positive relationship with it, and find more fulfillment and happiness in our lives.

In conclusion, breaking free from the social media doom loop requires a combination of mindfulness, intentionality, and self-compassion. By recognizing the ways in which social media can be detrimental to our well-being, and making a conscious effort to use it in a more mindful and intentional way, we can cultivate a healthier relationship with social media and find more fulfillment and happiness in our lives. By focusing on meaningful relationships and connections in our offline lives, and practicing self-compassion and self-awareness, we can build a sense of belonging and fulfillment that is not dependent on social media, and that can help us to feel more grounded and secure in our lives. As we move forward in this digital age, it's more important than ever that we take a mindful and intentional approach to social media, and use it in a way that promotes positive and uplifting messages, and supports our overall well-being.