Episode 125
Junk Food or Junk Internet? Let's Snack on This!
So, get this: a new study says that scrolling through social media and binge-watching shows might actually be making us more stressed—like, seriously? Who knew?! I mean, I thought buying that toaster online was supposed to be relaxing, but apparently I’m just adding to my anxiety levels. Meanwhile, the study found that folks who watch adult content are vibing with way less stress—who knew that was the secret wellness hack? Forget meditation apps, just go incognito, right? We also dive into the wild world of email and gaming, where they’re just adding to our stress soup! So, grab your snacks and join us as we unpack this ridiculousness—it's gonna be a hilarious ride!
Transcript
Good morning.
Speaker A:It's Haystack.
Speaker A:And there is a new study that suggests Internet habits that many people use to relax may actually make them more stressed, may add to their stress.
Speaker A:Researchers found that people who spend more time on social media, online shopping and streaming reported higher stress levels than those who use the Internet for things like email or news.
Speaker A:So let me get this straight.
Speaker A:I go to Walmart.com to buy a toaster and that's more anxiety inducing than seeing actual war headlines or deleting work emails from Garrett in accounting?
Speaker A:Really?
Speaker A:How did they even study this?
Speaker A:They.
Speaker A:So they tracked 47 million web visits, 14 million app uses.
Speaker A:So someone actually knows how many times I checked on the same hoodie on three different sites just to decide not to buy it.
Speaker A:Anyway, here I am opening all these Chrome tabs like I'm getting paid per window.
Speaker A:My laptop sounds like it's trying to take off at xna.
Speaker A:But here's the twist.
Speaker A:The study says people who watch adult content have less stress.
Speaker A:Well, there you go.
Speaker A:There's your wellness tip for the day.
Speaker A:Forget therapy apps like Headspace, they're gonna, they just need to say, go to incognito mode.
Speaker A:That's all you need.
Speaker A:Apparently email reduces stress.
Speaker A:I don't know who these people are, but I want their lives.
Speaker A:Because when I check email, it's just coupons, job rejections, and offers to deposit money into my account if I'll just send the details of my checking account.
Speaker A:Yeah, I'm gonna fall for that again.
Speaker A:Gaming and streaming also got thrown under the stress bus.
Speaker A:The study said that if you're watching Netflix, Shopp, scrolling, Tick tock, playing games, any of it, you're stressed out and you're using those things to avoid stress.
Speaker A:And social media is the worst, which makes sense, but it's a, it's a chicken and egg situation.
Speaker A:Really.
Speaker A:Are we stressed because we scroll or do we scroll because we're stressed?
Speaker A:Honestly, at this point, I'm stressed now thinking about whether or not I'm stressing correctly.
Speaker A:The good news is they want to use this data to build tools to help us regulate Internet use.
Speaker A:Yeah, nothing's gonna help my stress like a pop up that says, hey, we noticed you've been doom scrolling for three hours.
Speaker A:Would you like to take a breath?
Speaker A:That'll help.
Speaker A:Bottom line is, basically the Internet is kinda like junk food.
Speaker A:A little doesn't hurt, you might even need a little.
Speaker A:But if you binge it, you're gonna feel gross, confused, and somehow end up with three unnecessary kitchen gadgets from a 2am TikTok ad.
