Break the Scroll: Finding Real-Life Boosts Beyond Your Phone

This summer, I had a wake-up call: I was addicted to my phone. 🫠

Not just the hours of scrolling, but the hundreds of tiny checks throughout the day. At red lights. In the grocery line. During commercials. If there was even a few seconds of quiet, I was reaching for my phone 🤦🏻‍♀️.

I even took a short hiatus from this newsletter to recharge and spend time with family — and that’s when I realized just how often I was filling space with screen time.

Here’s why it happens: every time you get a notification, your brain releases a tiny hit of chemicals that make you want to check again and again. The cycle is real.

But here’s the good news — the brain chemicals we’re chasing (dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins) can be found in everyday life, without a glowing screen in front of you.

Healthier Ways to Boost Your Brain 🧠

💡 Dopamine (motivation, focus, sense of accomplishment)

• Cross something off a list
• Cook a new recipe
• Learn something new every day

🌞 Serotonin (calm, balance, overall well-being)

• Get morning sunlight
• Take a walk outside
• Keep a journal or gratitude list

🤝 Oxytocin (trust, bonding, connection with others)

• Hug someone you love (pets count!)
• Share a meal without your phone on the table
• Do something kind for someone else

✨ Endorphins (energy boost, stress relief, pain relief)

• Move your body — run, dance, stretch
• Watch or listen to something that makes you laugh
• Play a game — anything from pickleball to trivia

As we head into fall, take this as a little reminder to put your phone down more often. Step outside, move your body, and connect with people face-to-face.

Your brain (and probably your grades, too) will thank you 🥰