Breaking the Habit of Consuming Negative News and Creating Room for Positivity in Your Life
Let’s be real—how many times have you picked up your phone to check one thing, only to find yourself scrolling endlessly through bad news?
This habit, known as “doomscrolling,” is more than just a waste of time—it’s actively harming your mental health. Consuming negative news for just 20 minutes daily can impact your mood for hours afterwards. Worse still, the stress and anxiety it creates embed themselves into your subconscious, shaping how you think and feel.
But there’s a better way to start your day.
As Maya Angelou so beautifully said: “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”
What if you could use a simple, proven routine to reclaim your focus and energy instead of beginning your mornings with negativity?
Morning Miracle Savers: Your Game-Changer
I was first introduced to this concept by a mentor about five years ago. They had been using it themselves and recommended it to me during a time when I felt overwhelmed and unfocused.
Since then, I’ve successfully adopted it into my own life, and it’s been a game-changer. I now share it with most of my clients, and it’s one of the most requested topics during my webinars, mental health first aid courses, and workshops.
Why? Because it works.
Your morning sets the tone for your entire day. If you start by consuming negativity, you’re setting yourself up for stress and distraction. Instead, try the Morning Miracle Savers, inspired by Hal Elrod’s The Miracle Morning.
These six practices, abbreviated as SAVERS, can transform your mindset, energy, and productivity:
Silence
Begin with a moment of stillness—meditation, deep breathing, or simply sitting quietly. This will calm your mind and prepare you for the day ahead.
Affirmations
Replace the noise of negativity with empowering self-talk. Repeat affirmations that focus on your goals, strengths, and the positive outcomes you want to achieve.
Visualisation
Picture your ideal day—how you’ll feel, what you’ll accomplish, and the joy you’ll create. This primes your brain to focus on what truly matters.
Exercise
Move your body, even if it’s just for 10 minutes. Exercise boosts endorphins, clears your mind, and sets a positive tone for the day.
Reading
Spend time with content that inspires or educates you. Read a chapter of a book, an uplifting article, or even a favourite quote that sparks motivation.
Scribing (Journaling)
Write down your thoughts, goals, or things you’re grateful for. This practice brings clarity and helps you start your day with intention.
In just 20–30 minutes, you can use these steps to replace doomscrolling with positivity and purpose.
What Doomscrolling Does to Your Mind
Your brain is like a sponge, absorbing everything it’s exposed to—even if you don’t realise it. Studies show that consuming negative news daily can increase anxiety and stress, lower focus and productivity, and fuel feelings of helplessness and despair.
In his book The Brain, Neuroscientist David Eagleman explains that the average person has about 60,000 thoughts each day—but here’s the kicker: 95% of those thoughts are the same as the ones you had yesterday.
So, if your morning begins with a flood of negativity from the news, those thoughts will likely dominate the rest of your day, shaping your mood, energy, and outlook.
Author Johan Hari, in his book Stolen Focus, points out that algorithms designed to keep us scrolling are hijacking our attention—because the more we scroll, the more profit they make.
And as Derren Brown highlights in Happy, what you feed your mind directly influences your outlook. If you consume empowering content, you’ll foster positivity. But if you consume negativity, you’ll create fear, doubt, and despair.
3 Steps to Break the Cycle
You don’t have to be a prisoner of the doomscroll. Here’s how to take back control:
- Replace the Habit with SAVERS
Instead of reaching for your phone in the morning, try the Morning Miracle Savers. Start with one or two practices and build from there. These small shifts can create big changes over time. - Set Boundaries with News and Social Media
Limit your time on social media and news apps. Use tools like screen time trackers or app blockers to cap your usage. Cutting down even 10 minutes a day can significantly improve your mental clarity. - Curate Your Feed
Be intentional about what you consume. Follow accounts and subscribe to channels that inspire, educate, or bring you joy. Unfollow or mute those that stress you out or bring negativity into your life.
Why It Matters
The content you consume shapes your thoughts, emotions, and, ultimately, your life. Watching negative news every day is like planting weeds in your mind—they grow, take root, and crowd out everything else.
But when you take control of what you let in, you create space for positivity, clarity, and growth. Imagine how much lighter, calmer, and more focused you could feel if you stopped feeding the negativity and started nourishing your mind with uplifting content instead.
Your Next Step
Doomscrolling feels like staying informed, but it’s really a trap. Breaking free will give you more time, energy, and clarity to focus on what truly matters in 2025.
Ready to stop the cycle? Try the Morning Miracle Savers and the steps above—and if you need help creating habits that stick, reach out to me. Together, we’ll create a plan to help you reclaim your mental space and make 2025 your best year yet.
Mike Lawrence: Your Guide to Health & Wellbeing
I’m Mike Lawrence, a passionate advocate for mental health and wellbeing. After overcoming significant health challenges, including brain surgery, I’ve dedicated myself to a journey of self-improvement and helping others thrive. From heart-pounding skydives for charity to soul-enriching travels in Thailand, my experiences have shaped my approach to holistic health.
I love sharing the lessons I’ve learned from these adventures and from the powerful audiobooks I devour. Let’s explore the paths to better mental and physical health together. Embrace life’s adventures with enthusiasm and resilience, and remember—you’re never alone on this journey!
Feel free to reach out via email at hello@mikelawrence.co.uk or connect with me on LinkedIn. For more in-depth insights and inspiring stories, read my latest blogs here. Together, let’s create a healthier, happier future!
