Tired of the scroll? Let’s fix your "digital fatigue"

2025 may be the golden age of digital connectivity—with influencers multiplying, content creation booming, and more people than ever living chronically online. But with the constant stream of pings, posts, and pixels comes an increasingly common yet often overlooked side effect: digital fatigue. It’s more than just tired eyes from too much scrolling—it’s the forgetfulness, mental fog, and constant task-switching that leaves us feeling wired yet worn out.

We’re living in an era of partial attention. Our days are spent bouncing from emails to DMs, from Zoom calls to Instagram reels, from “just one more” Netflix episode to the inevitable late-night scroll. And while technology is designed to keep us connected, it’s also quietly draining our focus, patience, and mental energy. To better understand this modern malaise—and more importantly, how to deal with it—we spoke to mental health professionals and those whose jobs keep them perpetually plugged in.

“Digital fatigue is something I’m seeing a lot these days, especially in high-performing, digitally-forward roles,” says psychologist Mehezabin Dordi. “It’s this constant cognitive overload from always being connected—work, personal life, even leisure are all screen-dependent now. Without boundaries, our nervous systems stay overstimulated, which affects everything from focus and energy to sleep and emotional resilience.”

So, how do you regulate it? “Build intentional pauses into your day. That could mean stepping away from screens between meetings, making mornings or nights screen-free, disabling non-urgent notifications, or doing something tactile like walking, cooking, or journaling to bring yourself back to the present,” Dordi suggests. “It’s not about quitting tech altogether,” she adds. “It’s about using it on your terms, not letting it run your day.”

For content creator and pop culture’s biggest personality right now Orry, the fix is… uniquely Orry. “Digital fatigue? I’ve had it since Instagram was born,” he laughs. “The antidote is simple—I watch myself. It reminds me why I’m online in the first place. I swear it reverses the damage. Honestly, everyone should try it for a few hours a day—unfollow everyone else.”

Clinical psychologist and behavioural therapist Sophia Peermohideen has seen the toll it has taken, especially recently. “During and after the pandemic, I’ve seen a huge spike in digital fatigue—that mental exhaustion that comes from being constantly tethered to screens,” she explains. “We’re more dependent on our devices than ever, juggling prolonged screen time, constant connectivity, multitasking, and an overload of information. This often blurs the boundaries between work and life, leading to physical symptoms like eye strain and headaches, mental effects such as irritability, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating, and even emotional detachment or low mood. It can chip away at productivity, affect relationships, and in some cases contribute to depression. The way forward is to be intentional—take digital detox breaks, set boundaries for work and personal time, schedule offline activities, prioritise sleep and nutrition, and, if needed, seek professional help. It’s about reclaiming control from your devices so they serve you, not the other way around.”

For entrepreneur and content creator Diipa Khosla, the challenge lies in balancing a career built online with the need for genuine offline presence. “My work demands that I’m constantly plugged in—creating content, engaging with my community, staying ahead of trends — but I’ve learned that if you don’t step away, you lose perspective,” she says. “I carve out sacred no-phone moments, even if it’s just having coffee in silence or taking a walk without my headphones. Those pauses aren’t a luxury; they’re essential if you want to keep creating from a place of authenticity and not burnout.”

While the symptoms of digital fatigue are modern, the solution often lies in something timeless—boundaries, balance, and the art of being off as much as we are on. Because in a world that rewards constant connectivity, sometimes the most radical thing you can do for your mind is log out.

 

Lead Image: Netflix

Also read: Screaming as therapy is all the rage right now (literally)

Also read: Neehar Sachdeva on shedding expectations (and wigs) to embrace her truth