From “Should” to “Could”: How to Manage Chronic Stress in a Doomscrolling World

Have you found a “should” to reframe to “could”?  Last month, we talked about shifting from a “should” mindset to a “could” mindset - moving away from rigid self-imposed expectations and toward possibility and growth. If you’re feeling stuck or scattered and those “shoulds” seem to be piling up, know that you’re not alone. One culprit driving these feelings may be lurking right in your pocket: your phone. More specifically, the doomscrolling habit that’s become a sneaky contributor to chronic stress, and a major drain on motivation and performance at work.

Stress used to be an occasional response to specific challenges (like deadlines or personal conflict), but with a hyperconnected world and the ease with which we can repeatedly scroll through distressing headlines and social media updates, occasional stress has morphed into chronic stress for millions of people. Doomscrolling reinforces a worldview where everything feels urgent, alarming, and out of your control, and that chronic stress doesn’t just stay in your brain. It shows up in your body, your mood, and your work.

Chronic stress impacts focus, memory, and decision-making. It makes it harder to plan, to be creative, and to collaborate effectively with others. You may find yourself snapping at coworkers, procrastinating tasks that used to feel easy, or struggling to generate the energy to start something new. When you’re overwhelmed by global uncertainty or consumed by comparison culture online, it’s easy to fall into the trap of “I should be doing more,” which only feeds the stress cycle further. The result? A productivity stall that feels deeply personal, but is actually very human.

So how do you break the stress cycle? It really does start with reclaiming your attention and your mindset. Just as we encouraged reframing “I should be better at this” to “I could improve with practice,” the same logic applies to how we consume information. You could set a media curfew. You could replace 15 minutes of doomscrolling with journaling or walking. You could unfollow accounts that drain you and follow ones that fuel your curiosity or joy. These aren’t just self-care tactics; they’re professional performance strategies. Because when your brain isn’t overloaded, you’re better able to focus, connect, and deliver your best work.

Chronic stress thrives in environments of constant pressure and limited agency. A “could” mindset gives you room to breathe, reset, and take meaningful action, even in uncertain times. It’s not about ignoring the world’s problems, but about managing your bandwidth so you can show up as your best self, at work and beyond. 

So ask yourself: What’s one small digital habit you could shift today to protect your energy and refocus your goals? Your progress doesn’t depend on being perfect - it depends on showing up with intention. Every “could” is a step toward clarity, confidence, and resilience.