7-day dopamine detox challenge

i’m addicted to cheap, easy to access dopamine. this is the kind of dopamine that hits your brain when you mindlessly scroll social media or listen to podcasts about how to live a productive life. these things trick your brain into thinking you are doing good things and give you a shot of dopamine that makes you feel amazing.

the issue is the cheap dopamine hit fades quickly. once i finish the podcast or finally put my phone down, the dopamine hit fades and my brain craves more. that’s when i reach for my headphones again or find myself open and closing the same three apps over and over again seeking more dopamine rich content.

the cycle never and and i never do the things my body actually needs to feel good because i’m constantly pumping myself full of cheap, easy dopamine.

so, i’ve decided to take the next 7 days and cut out cheap forms of dopamine. namely:

❌ podcasts, youtube, and audiobooks

❌ headphones

❌ social media consumption

❌ sugar

❌ bingeing tv shows

these dopamine sources aren’t necessarily bad in and of themselves, but over consumption of them is not a positive thing in my life. but my body still needs to get dopamine from somewhere to feel good. so, instead of seeking quick and easy dopamine i’ll be reaching for low dopamine sources like:

- reading

- exercise

- high protein meals

- meditation

- journaling

- spending time in nature

- talking to loved ones

- stretching

- cleaning

- painting/coloring

i’m honestly not sure how this detox is going to go, but i’m anticipating the first few days being tough. because i constantly have a podcast or audiobook playing in my ear, i’m expecting my mind to feel extra cluttered and anxious thoughts to be at the fore front. to combat this, i plan on keeping my journal handy at all times. i’m also planning on totally deleting apps off my phone and putting my headphones in a hard-to-reach place.

make sure to follow for some updates on how the detox goes! and let me know if you’re going to join me!

not ready for a full-blown detox?

➡️ try eliminating one cheap source of dopamine at a time and replacing it with a low dopamine source

#lemon8partner #dopaminedetox #dopamine #screentimedetox #digitaldetox #doomscrolling #lemon8diary