Your Nervous System Needs a Break From the Lindsey Clancy Case
It’s likely that you are keeping track of the Lindsey Clancy case that is riveting the nation. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of analysis videos, accounts dedicated to tracking every moment and making sure it reaches you in a timely manner, theories explained with the Jaws soundtrack in the background, plenty of speculation, and only so many actual facts.
This post isn’t necessarily about the case itself, but rather a common dilemma that I, and many others, are running into in light of this case: we can get so consumed with a story that we end up spending endless hours on social media scrolling and gathering information.
This post will help you learn how to take a break from the case, reflect on how you’re spending your time on social media, and notice how your body and mind are responding to the content you are absorbing.
Recognizing Verbal Abuse When Following a Story Becomes Doomscrolling
You’ve been glued to your screen for days now. You’re exchanging videos with your friends, theorizing, trying to figure out what happened.
If you’re in the mental health field, you may also find yourself thinking about documentation, the quality (or lack thereof) of care Lindsey Clancy received leading up to the tragic events at the end of January 2023, and the rehab that our healthcare system most likely needs.
At some point, it’s important to put your phone down and take a deep breath. When you return to your phone at the end of the day, the updates will still be there waiting for you. While it may be emotionally compelling to stay constantly connected to this case, it’s important to be mindful about your media consumption. After watching a video or talking to your friends about the case, take a couple seconds. Notice what you’re feeling, physically and emotionally. You may be dysregulating your nervous system without even realizing it.
Pause and ask yourself:
- How many videos did I watch on this topic?
- How much time has passed since I started scrolling?
- What is my body trying to tell me? Is my stomach in knots? Is my heart beating faster than it usually is?
- What am I “enjoying” about this process?
If You Stop Scrolling, What Will You Do Instead?
If you reach a decision that it is time to stop scrolling, what type of action will you replace it with? Besides checking in and regulating yourself, it is also important to have a more helpful or productive activity to replace scrolling with. It can be productive, like folding laundry or unloading the dishwasher, but it doesn’t have to be. You’re generally looking for activities that help you slow down. Yes, Lindsay Clancy’s case is unfolding in front of millions of strangers online. But it’s not your life. It is vital to remind yourself that you are following a court case, and consuming content that is meant to catch your attention as a form of “currency.”
So, the question becomes, where do you want your attention “paid”?
Are you someone who wants to invest more in your own household?
Do you have some paperwork to catch up on?
Have you ordered everything you need to start a new hobby, but haven’t gotten started?
The world is your oyster when you step away from your devices. Yes, in today’s day and age, scrolling our phones feels like the easiest option to fill our time and we often turn to our phones as a way to relax. When used in moderation, it probably can. However, if you are spending hours scrolling and rehashing thoughts from the trial, is that really relaxation?
Maybe it’s time to scroll through all your saved posts and make that recipe that you bookmarked. Or maybe you go look at plants outside. Maybe you people watch. If you have someone around that can go with you, take them with you. Share observations about the people you see. Laugh together at the things you see. If you’re alone, write it down in a note on your phone to share with someone else later in the day.
You Don’t Have to Stop Caring
This post isn’t meant to judge you for what you have been doing for the past couple of weeks as you monitor this trial, nor is it intended to make you feel bad about not being relaxed enough, mindful enough, or living a “slow” enough existence. Instead, I am encouraging you to reflect on what you are subjecting your mind and body to over and over again throughout the day. Sometimes, it is not one big thing that may affect our emotions or symptoms. Sometimes, as in the words of Taylor Allison Swift, it’s death by a thousand cuts.
So, be kind to yourself today, (and every subsequent day–let’s be honest!) and check in with your body before and after scrolling TikTok, or specifically, the Clancy case. And if you notice a tightness in your shoulders or a knot in your stomach, say good night to your phone and go enjoy a more relaxing activity. If you’d like a list of activities you can do, drop a comment below!
If you’re ready to take the next step in your personal growth and healing, individual therapy at Embodied Wellness Center can provide the support and tools you need. Whether you’re seeking to manage anxiety, improve your relationships, or achieve better work-life balance, our holistic, mindfulness-based approach will help you navigate life’s challenges with greater clarity and resilience. Contact us today to begin your journey toward a more fulfilling and balanced life.
*Disclaimer: The content posted on this website is for marketing and educational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, psychotherapy or a replacement for mental health treatment. Please seek the advice of your licensed medical or mental health professional, and do not avoid seeking treatment based on anything read on this website.