Is brain rot the real horror this halloween? Growing concerns over screen-time

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Joanne Swann
Big orange moon
Big orange moon

According to Google Trends, in the lead-up to Halloween, UK searches for “brain rot” have jumped by a staggering 100% in the last 24 hours. But this isn’t just a spooky seasonal trend—“brain rot,” a condition associated with excessive screen time and cognitive burnout, is causing growing anxiety across the nation.

With some UK workers spending over 2,000 hours a year glued to screens—an average of 166 hours a month—many are experiencing symptoms of mental fatigue, such as reduced attention spans, anxiety from doomscrolling, and a constant sense of overwhelm. And social media giant TikTok, the most addictive platform of all, may be the main culprit behind this new age of cognitive decline.

Matt Cayless, Founder of Bubblegum Search, commented:

People are spending more and more time scrolling through endless content, and it’s taking a serious toll on mental clarity. As a company working in the digital space, we’ve seen firsthand how screen fatigue can lead to burnout. This surge in searches for ‘brain rot’ shows that people are waking up to the problem. But luckily, there are creative ways to fight back.

Matt Cayless, Founder of Bubblegum Search

How to Beat Brain Rot

Meditate

It’s beneficial to combine physical activity with meditation and mindfulness. Take short, mindful breaks throughout the day and step away from your screen every 90 minutes. Other helpful practices include deep breathing, guided visualisation, and a 5-4-3-2-1 grounding exercise.

Eat Mindfully

When eating, paying attention to your food’s flavours, textures, and smells provides a much-needed break from the screen and an instant mental reset. Mindful eating during lunch can significantly enhance your overall well-being.

Connect with nature

Connect with nature. It’s as simple as taking outdoor breaks or turning your work desk into a mini jungle. Embrace the wildness of nature with a desk terrarium or tiny bonsai forest. Natural elements can help reduce stress and boost creativity.

Play with your senses

To create an environment that promotes focus and creativity and reduces stress, consider adding sensory elements such as aromatherapy with scents that transport youor tactile objects like stress balls, kinetic sand, or silicone pop-it toys in playful shapes. These sensory experiences, especially hands-on play, are therapeutic and can also help reduce our screen time.

Do the Pomodoro

Use the Pomodoro Technique for time management. The basic premise of this technique is to work for 25 minutes straight, then take a quick break. Use this time to be creative, like doodling random images that spring to mind. These short bursts of creativity help balance your work and give you fresh perspectives.

Challenge your mind 

Consider taking strategic breaks with brainteasers and puzzles to improve your problem-solving skills. Engaging in mental exercises can strengthen neural pathways, leading to thoughts you may not have considered. J

Think backwards – and upside down!

Try promoting creative thinking by doing activities like writing in reverse or reading upside down. These tasks challenge the mind and can help stimulate our brain pathways. It’s a great way to refresh the mind, especially if you feel stuck in a rut.

Joanne Swann, Content Manager, WorkWellPro
Editor at Workplace Wellbeing Professional | Website |  + posts

Joanne is the editor for Workplace Wellbeing Professional and has a keen interest in promoting the safety and wellbeing of the global workforce. After earning a bachelor's degree in English literature and media studies, she taught English in China and Vietnam for two years. Before joining Work Well Pro, Joanne worked as a marketing coordinator for luxury property, where her responsibilities included blog writing, photography, and video creation.

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