How TikTok Might Be Worsening Your Anxiety

Written By Lauren Schaefer

TikTok has many positive features that help us feel connected to others or understood, but some of this can come at a cost if we use it too much. Why?

Information Overload & Fast-Paced Content

  • The constant stream of videos keeps your brain in a heightened state of stimulation, making it harder to relax.

  • The dopamine-driven nature of the app can make real-life moments feel less engaging, increasing feelings of restlessness.

Tiktok Logo

  1. Emotional Contagion (Empath Sensitivity) & Emotional Overlaod

    • Empaths absorb emotions deeply. Seeing distressing content—whether personal stories, world events, or emotional rants—can take a toll.

    • Too many emotions at once, overstimulating your empathic brain.

    • Even subtle negativity (like people venting, talking about struggles, or sharing anxious thoughts) can mirror back into your own emotions.

  2. Doomscrolling & The Anxiety Loop

    • TikTok’s algorithm picks up on what you engage with, so if you watch mental health-related or emotional content, it may flood your feed with similar videos.

    • This creates a loop where you are continuously exposed to topics that might reinforce anxious thoughts.

  3. Comparison & Self-Worth Triggers

    • Seeing curated snippets of others’ lives can lead to self-doubt and unconscious comparisons, making you feel like you should be further ahead in life or doing things differently.

    • This can heighten feelings of inadequacy or pressure to change, even if logically you know social media isn’t reality.

  4. Disrupted Nervous System Regulation

    • Scrolling before bed can keep your nervous system in fight-or-flight mode, making it harder to unwind and sleep.

    • The blue light from your phone suppresses melatonin, which can further disrupt your sleep and emotional regulation.

  5. Dopamine Addiction

    • Quick, high-stimulation videos make real life feel slow, leaving you restless

  6. Negativity & Fear-Based Content

    • TikTok feeds on engagement, so intense topics get pushed, even if they aren’t helping your mental state.

 

Should You Delete TikTok?

It depends on how it’s affecting you. Here are a few options:

✅ If TikTok Consistently Leaves You Feeling Anxious & Overwhelmed → Consider Deleting It.

  • If it’s draining you more than it’s adding value, it’s okay to let it go.

  • You can always redownload it later if you really miss it.

✅ If You’re Not Sure → Try a “Digital Detox” First.

  • Take a 1-week break and track how you feel.

  • Notice your anxiety levels, sleep quality, and focus without TikTok.

  • If you feel calmer, clearer, and more grounded, that’s a sign TikTok was overstimulating you.

✅ If You Still Want to Use TikTok → Set Boundaries.

  • Time Limit: 10-20 minutes max per day (use app timers).

  • Unfollow & Curate Your Feed: Remove content that makes you anxious and follow only uplifting creators.

  • Replace Scrolling with Something Calming: If you’re scrolling for distraction, swap it with journaling, a walk, or music.

Take a deep breath…

 What to Do Right Now to Feel Less Anxious

1.      Close the App & Take Deep Breaths – Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4, exhale for 6.

2.      Move Your Body – Stretch, go outside, or shake out the energy to release tension.

3.      Ground Yourself in the Present – Use the 5-4-3-2-1 method: Name 5 things you see, 4 you can touch, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, 1 you taste. Or look around your space and identify objects that are each color of the rainbow (e.g., red folder, orange pillow, green pen).

4.      Do a Calm Activity – Listen to music, journal, or just sit in silence for a few minutes.

 

Decide: Do You Feel Better Without TikTok?

If yes, consider stepping away permanently.

If TikTok is consistently making you feel anxious, dysregulated, or drained, it’s 100% okay to delete it. Your peace matters more than an app. 💛

 

What You Can Do to Reduce TikTok-Induced Anxiety

✅ Set Boundaries & Time Limits

  • Use app timers (e.g., 30-minute limit) or designate screen-free zones in your day.

  • Try replacing TikTok with a calming activity before bed (like reading or listening to music).

✅ Curate Your Feed

  • Actively "Not Interested" content that makes you feel anxious.

  • Follow creators who promote positivity, mindfulness, or calming content instead.

✅ Take Breaks (Digital Detox Lite)

  • Try a 1-3 day break from TikTok and journal how you feel.

  • Notice if your anxiety changes when you step away from the constant input.

✅ Mindful Consumption

  • Ask: Is this video helping or harming my mindset right now?

  • If you feel your energy shifting negatively, pause & step away.

✅ Regulate Your Nervous System

  • If TikTok is overstimulating, balance it with activities that downregulate your nervous system:

    • Deep breathing

    • Meditation

    • Nature walks

    • Yoga/stretching

Box breathing

Lauren Schaefer
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Emotions and Their Purpose