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People are finally starting to wake up to the cost of what they eat. We’re talking more about processed food and the effect it has on our bodies.
But what about what we’re feeding our minds?
In a few years, I believe we’ll look back on our relationship with smartphones and say, “We had no idea how much this was affecting us.” Just like with food, there’s going to be a reckoning. And not just for individuals but for our relationships, focus and mental health.
It’s something we explore deeply in addiction counselling in Calgary, because phone and content addiction might not get the same headlines as substances, but the patterns and impacts echo those of other addictions.
“The world is toxic, seriously.”
That’s how my client opened our session. Not with drama, but with a quiet statement that’s becoming increasingly common.
And honestly? They’re not alone.
I’ve heard versions of this same sentiment from dozens of people lately. It’s like a collective wave of hopelessness has crept into our bodies and lodged itself there. People feel overwhelmed, anxious, disconnected and apathetic.
So I asked, like I often do, “What do you feel compelled to do?”
My client just shook their head. “That’s the problem. What can I do?”
That question isn’t just theirs. It’s all of ours.
Because behind the helplessness, there’s this quiet war happening, a war for our attention, our emotional regulation, even our ability to hope. And our phones? They’re right at the centre of it.
If you’ve been feeling scattered, discouraged or disconnected lately, you're not broken. You’re overloaded.
Social media, 24/7 news, endless content loops and reels, it’s all too much. Our nervous systems weren’t built for this kind of input. Not this fast, not this constant, and definitely not this emotionally charged.
The more we scroll, the more we see the worst of everything. The algorithm doesn’t feed us nuance. It feeds us outrage, fear, and doom. And then we wonder why our daily lives feel frozen or exhausting.
Honestly, it’s something I see all the time in therapy here in Calgary, especially in depression counselling and addiction counselling sessions. People walk in carrying the weight of the world, literally in their pocket.
This is one of the most common fears clients bring into the room.
And as a parent myself? I feel it too. I’ve caught myself deep in late-night scroll spirals, heart racing, wondering if the good days are behind us. Wondering if my kid will inherit a world worth growing into.
It’s a heavy thought.
But here’s what I remind myself and my clients: It’s not just the content that’s the problem. It’s how much of it we’re taking in, and what we’re doing with it.
You can stay on the surface and keep wrestling with the question: Do I stay informed and stay anxious or unplug and feel ignorant?
But what if there’s a deeper way of asking ourselves these big questions?
These are the kinds of conversations we’re having with counselling in Calgary sessions right now, because this isn't just about information overload. It's about mental and emotional survival.
You don’t have to throw your phone in a lake. You just need to reclaim your relationship with it.
Here’s where to start:
Because it kind of does.
Try this for two weeks: follow only content that feels calming, hopeful, or growth-oriented. Skip anything rage-inducing, chaotic, or numbing.
But here’s the thing, it’s not just a mindset shift. It’s a habit loop you’re interrupting.
We don’t scroll for info. We scroll for regulation. So changing what you consume means changing how you soothe.
Choose evenings or weekends to fully unplug. No scrolling, no news, no rabbit holes. Let your nervous system exhale.
Why? Because your nervous system is what helps you feel calm or on edge. It’s designed to detect danger, and phones constantly feed it stress: bad news, comparison, noise.
When overloaded, you may feel:
Even simple boundaries help your system reset. Try:
These breaks tell your body: You’re safe. You can relax.
From that place, real connection — and clarity — returns.
Each morning or night, jot down a few quick points:
This simple practice draws from positive psychology and future-self research, which show that when we regularly imagine who we want to become, we’re more likely to act in alignment with those values, even in moments of stress or uncertainty.
Why it matters:
Without intention, your brain will anchor to whatever future it's most exposed to. And right now, that’s often a doom-filled, fear-driven one curated by algorithms.
Bulleting your hope gives your mind a different image to work with, one grounded in possibility, purpose, and your truth.
It’s not about dreaming big. It’s about remembering where you're going, one step at a time.
In marriage counselling, this comes up a lot. Devices can quietly become the third party in the relationship, stealing attention, interrupting moments, and creating emotional distance. It may seem small, but picking up your phone while your partner is talking is a lot like inviting someone else into the room and starting a new conversation... while leaving your partner mid-sentence.
Connection takes effort and healthy boundaries. Sometimes, the most loving thing we can offer is our full attention. Researcher John Gottman discovered that lasting relationships are built on something simple but powerful: paying attention to your partner’s bids for connection.
“Is this feeding the person I want to become?”
If the answer is no, give yourself permission to close the app.
We’re not meant to live in a constant state of vigilance, outrage, or comparison.
So if you’re feeling anxious, low, unfocused, or numb, you're not alone.
We’re helping people every day through therapy in Calgary, depression counselling, addiction counselling, and marriage counselling to rebuild a more grounded, present, and hopeful way of being.
It’s not about cutting out the screens. It’s about tuning into what’s right in front of you.
And if you need help doing that, we’re here.
