All Scrolling isn't Bad, Unless...

From cute cat videos to satisfying soap-cutting visuals, digital escapes are providing moments of calm in an otherwise hectic world

- Sneha Mahale

Shakti Kulkarni, a 32 year old entrepreneur living in Mumbai, finds solace in watching cat videos on her phone, especially before and after client meetings. "It makes me feel more energised and I experience fewer negative emotions after watching such videos. It's the micro-break I need to rejuvenate." says the pet parent to two tabby cats.

Kulkarni may be onto something. Engaging with videos of cute animals, organisational content, or light-hearted comedy can offer a form of "digital escapism". In small doses, these distractions can be surprisingly therapeutic.

Research even suggests that these brief and microdoses of happiness can have a positive effect on your mood. For instance, a 2023 study in Science Direct found that watching humorous videos was associated with an instant effect in stress reduction and well-being improvement in the short term (once a day).

"These videos engage the brain's reward system. Watching animals triggers the release of oxytocin, which promotes feelings of love and bonding.

Similarly, clutter organising videos stimulate dopamine release, giving viewers a sense of pleasure similar to the satisfaction of achieving order in their own environment," explains Dr Ajit Dandekar, head of psychiatry and mental health at Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mumbai.