You know that feeling. It’s 11 PM, you’re exhausted, but your thumb keeps scrolling. Another political crisis, another celebrity drama, another disaster somewhere in the world. Before you know it, an hour has vanished into the digital void, and you’re left with nothing but anxiety and regret.
I was trapped in this cycle for years until I discovered an unexpected solution: The Brick. No, not an actual brick—but a basic, no-frills phone that looks like it time-traveled from 2005. This simple device became my secret weapon against the endless scroll that was draining my mental energy and productivity.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Doomscrolling isn’t just a bad habit—it’s rewiring our brains for constant anxiety
- Simple tech solutions often work better than complex digital wellness apps
- Mental health professionals are noticing a surge in screen-related burnout
- The solution might be going backward technologically to move forward mentally
Why Your Brain Can’t Resist the Scroll
Doomscrolling taps into something primal in our psychology. Our brains are wired to seek out potential threats—it’s what kept our ancestors alive. Modern technology has hijacked this survival mechanism, turning every notification into a potential “danger” we feel compelled to investigate.
According to The Verge’s technology coverage, the average person checks their phone 96 times daily. That’s once every 10 minutes during waking hours. Each check delivers a tiny dopamine hit that reinforces the behavior, creating a neurological pattern that’s incredibly difficult to break.
How the ‘Brick’ Actually Works
When I first heard about people switching to basic phones, I thought it sounded extreme. Who would give up maps, email, and ride-sharing? But here’s the revelation: you don’t have to go full Luddite to benefit from digital minimalism.
I started using my ‘brick’ phone during evenings and weekends while keeping my smartphone for work hours. The basic device only handles calls and texts—no browsers, no social media, no endless news feeds. Suddenly, those empty moments waiting in line or riding the subway became opportunities for observation and thought rather than digital consumption.
What surprised me most was how quickly my anxiety levels dropped. Without constant access to the world’s problems, I started noticing the actual world around me. I remembered what it felt like to be bored—and discovered that boredom often sparks creativity.
What Mental Health Professionals Are Seeing
The psychological impact of constant connectivity is becoming impossible to ignore. Therapists and productivity coaches are reporting that clients who implement tech boundaries show measurable improvements in focus, sleep quality, and overall life satisfaction.
Research highlighted by The Verge’s analysis suggests that even small breaks from smartphone use can reset our attention spans and reduce cortisol levels. It’s not about abandoning technology entirely—it’s about creating intentional boundaries that serve our wellbeing rather than corporate algorithms.
Productivity experts are taking note too. The most effective professionals aren’t those who master every app and notification system—they’re the ones who create distraction-free environments that allow for deep work. The ‘brick’ approach creates natural barriers against the fragmentation of attention that plagues modern knowledge workers.
Making the Switch Practical
You don’t need to throw away your smartphone to benefit from this approach. Here’s how to start small:
- Designate tech-free hours using a basic phone during evenings or weekends
- Create physical separation by leaving your smartphone in another room during focused work
- Use single-purpose devices like dedicated alarm clocks instead of phone alarms
- Schedule ‘brick time’ where you only carry your basic phone for specific outings
The goal isn’t to reject modern technology but to reclaim your attention and mental space. When you do use your smartphone, you’ll likely find yourself using it more intentionally rather than mindlessly scrolling.
The bottom line:
The ‘brick’ phone solution works because it addresses the root problem: our devices have become too good at capturing our attention. By introducing friction and limitations, we take back control of our cognitive resources. Mental health professionals see the value in prescribed digital detoxes, while productivity experts recognize that the most valuable resource isn’t time—it’s focused attention.
Your phone should be a tool that serves you, not a slot machine that hijacks your brain. Sometimes moving forward means knowing when to take a step back—and for many of us, that first step might look surprisingly like a phone from 2005.
