India, Oct. 12 -- You pick up your phone to check the latest headlines, only to find yourself scrolling through one upsetting story after another. A report about a disaster leads to a story about crime, which takes you to updates about conflict or another worrying event. Before you know it, much more time has passed than you intended, and you are left feeling anxious or mentally drained. This habit is known as doomscrolling, and it has a lot to do with how your brain responds to danger, uncertainty, and negative information.

With news alerts and social media updates, staying informed has become easier than ever. However, knowing what is happening around you can sometimes turn into a habit that is difficult to break. Dr Priya Kaul, a spir...