Why ‘unwinding’ with screens may be making us more stressed – here’s what to try instead

Many people may call it self-care to crash on the couch with your smartphone, but screen-based activities increase the load on your brain instead of resting it.

By: Robin Pickering, Gonzaga University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: January 21, 2026

Words: 1,219

Last Updated: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

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By Robin Pickering, Gonzaga University

As Americans increasingly report feeling overwhelmed by daily life, many are using self-care to cope. Conversations and social media feeds are saturated with the language of “me time,” burnout, boundaries and nervous system regulation.

To meet this demand, the wellness industry has grown into a multitrillion-dollar global market. Myriad providers offer products, services and lifestyle prescriptions that promise calm, balance and restoration.

Paradoxically, though, even as interest …

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