We wake up to notifications.
We eat with a screen beside us.
We work, scroll, reply, refresh… and call it a day.

In a world where screens dominate almost every hour of our lives, many people feel increasingly tired, distracted, and emotionally flat—but they don’t know why.

This modern restlessness has a name: screen fatigue.
And its antidote isn’t a new app—it’s something more mindful: a digital detox.

What Is Screen Fatigue?

Screen fatigue isn’t just about tired eyes. It’s a mental and emotional drain caused by prolonged digital exposure—especially without meaningful breaks.

Common signs include:

• Mental fog or difficulty concentrating

• Irritability and reduced patience

• Low mood or emotional numbness

• Sleep disruption, especially with late-night scrolling

• Anxiety when disconnected, even briefly

• Reduced attention span and restlessness

This is especially common in students attending online classes, professionals glued to screens for meetings and deadlines, and even homemakers constantly navigating social media and WhatsApp groups.

Why Our Brains Are Struggling

Screens flood our brain with stimulation but little satisfaction. The dopamine spikes from social media, reels, or constant multitasking don’t give us real joy—they just keep us chasing the next tap or scroll.

Over time, this can blunt our emotional regulation, impair memory, and leave us feeling drained, distracted, or disoriented.

What a Digital Detox Actually Means

A digital detox doesn’t mean giving up your phone forever. It means consciously creating boundaries between you and your screen to give your mind room to rest and reset.

Some simple strategies include:

• No screens 30–60 minutes before bed

• Dedicated no-screen hours each day (or a screen-free Sunday)

• Turning off non-essential notifications

• Replacing idle scrolling with reading, walking, or mindful hobbies

• Using apps to track and limit screen time, ironically—but effectively

• Prioritising real conversations over passive content

And most importantly, learning to be okay with stillness.

When Screen Fatigue Signals Something Deeper

Sometimes, excessive screen use is a symptom of something more—
Avoidance, boredom, loneliness, anxiety, or low mood.

If you notice that digital habits are interfering with your relationships, sleep, work, or sense of self, it may be time to explore the emotional patterns behind them.

Helping You Reconnect – With Life, Not Just Wi-Fi

At Apollo Clinic, East Tambaram, I support individuals (students, professionals, and parents) in understanding the psychological impact of screen overuse. Therapy can help you:

• Identify the emotions behind compulsive scrolling

• Manage digital dependency and overstimulation

• Rebuild attention, sleep, and self-regulation

• Set healthier habits and digital boundaries

• Address co-occurring anxiety, low mood, or burnout

🧠 Support for Screen Fatigue, Anxiety & Digital Overload
Dr. Srinivas Rajkumar T, MD (AIIMS, New Delhi)
Psychiatrist | Mindfulness | Digital Detox | Emotional Health
📍 Apollo Clinic, 3, Bharathamadha Street, Opp. to MCC Campus, East Tambaram, Chennai – 600059
📞 Call/WhatsApp: 8595155808