Is Gen Z finally logging off?
Over the past few years, several studies have confirmed that Gen Z consumes more social media content than any other generation. But some youngsters born into the digital world are now rethinking those digital habits, and pushing back against the “chronically online” label.
I know this because I’m one of them, and I’ve heard all the stereotypes: that we’re lazy, lack concentration and social skills, struggle with mental health and aren’t productive in the workplace. At my first internship, I had a manager tell me I was “refreshingly focused for Gen Z.” I took it as a compliment — and a warning.
It doesn’t help that research seems to back up some of the assumptions about us. A 2025 review by the American Psychological Association found that high short-form video consumption is linked to diminished cognitive function. A 2026 study published by PMC found that university students associated this kind of content with reduced productivity and impaired decision-making.
And finally, a 2025 Morning Consult survey found that nearly 50% of Gen Z engages in “bed rotting” (Zoomer-talk for staying in bed for hours scrolling) — a habit that some experts have linked to increased anxiety, depression and disrupted sleep patterns.
Brain rot was named the Oxford Word of the Year back in 2024, and is used to describe a phenomenon that is associated with internet-native, younger individuals.
A systematic review published in the National Library of Medicine refers to brain rot as “the cognitive decline and mental exhaustion experienced by individuals, particularly adolescents and young adults, due to excessive exposure to low-quality online materials, especially on social media.”
The study explores how brain rot results from low-quality digital content, but also finds that there are strategies that could help prevent it or slow it down — “such as controlling screen time, curating digital content, and engaging in non-digital activities.”
More of Gen Z, myself included, are becoming intentional about cutting back on social media overuse. Some are even sharing tips online, offering roadmaps for those looking to “detox” from social media.
From installing social media blockers — like the increasingly popular Brick device — to embracing trends, hobbies and other products that counter doomscrolling and overconsumption, younger people are finding ways to push back.
Below, I’ve spoken with several of The Post’s younger writers who are actively working to unplug. From embracing reading and writing to turning to “Grandma Hobbies” and even incorporating supplements to support sleep and stress, it’s clear that Gen Z is experimenting with new ways to fight brain rot.
Perhaps the simplest solution to Gen Z’s brain rot? Turning back the clock and embracing “Grandma Hobbies” — more wholesome activities that offer a break from scrolling. These include everything from crochet and knitting to scrapbooking and more niche design projects.
“As a true child of the internet, I’m all too familiar with doomscrolling and the concept of brain rot; I’ve spent a lot of my life ‘chronically online,'” admitted commerce streaming reporter Angela Tricarico, 28.
“Recently, I’ve been finding some new (and actually effective) ways to step back and give myself a break. I bought a Cricut Cutting Machine early in the pandemic, and to this day, I still use it weekly to make stickers, cards, bookmarks and other projects — often while also listening to an audiobook on Audible.”
While Tricarico admits that she has to use a screen to make anything on her Cricut happen, she also finds herself feeling “so engrossed in the designing process” that she doesn’t even have time to scroll on social media. Instead, she keeps her screentime limited to designing software, like Photoshop and Procreate.
Tricarico adds that she also started dabbling with needlepoint after a failed attempt with crochet. “I’ll put my phone on the other side of the room and work on any of the handful of projects… I’ve gotten a lot of my canvases and accessories from Penny Linn, which is opening an NYC store in May.”
“Grandma hobbies” might sound like just another online trend, but they reflect a serious desire to unplug and reconnect with more engaging and relaxing pastimes — especially hands-on activities that keep fingers busy — but not busy scrolling.
These days, there’s a flood of vitamins and supplements promising everything from increased energy to better brain power to more restorative sleep. The challenge for many young people is figuring out what’s actually safe and effective for their needs.
When it comes to fighting brain rot, one of the biggest challenges young people face is regulating their sleep habits — often called “sleepmaxxing” online.
Staying up late scrolling is an easy habit to fall into, which is why some are turning to “sleepy mocktails” with supplements like magnesium and L-theanine to help them wind down (and put their phones down).
“I’m not the biggest protein powders and supplements kind of girl, but I have been doing plenty of research on the benefits of magnesium in the evenings,” shared Victoria McDonnell, commerce Journalist and content strategist, 26.
After several days of scrutinizing the Nutrition Facts website and looking into a variety of wellness brands, McDonnell landed on the Thorne Magnesium Glycinate Supplements.
“The ritual of integrating magnesium into my night routine helps me wind down before bed,” she explained. “Plus, I have peace of mind knowing that the brand focuses on simple ingredients and holds high purity standards.”
McDonnell is not the only one to report the benefits. Systematic reviews have confirmed that magnesium does have an effect on sleep quality. A study from 2022 demonstrated that combining magnesium and L-theanine can effectively improve sleep disturbances and extend sleep duration.
To help combat brain rot, some Gen Zers are turning inward through journaling. But it’s less about what they’re writing and more about the act of putting thoughts on paper. Some are also picking “Memory Books” as a way to stay present and focus on what matters.
“While I’d always found the concept of a journal daunting, ever since I got a five-year journal, I’ve been way better about committing to the practice,” explained 26-year-old Hannah Southwick, an associate editor at Page Six.
Southwick writes about online shopping all day for her nine-to-five, so this shorter-format memory book is an easy way to disconnect from the internet and reconnect with herself. Each page of this One Line a Day book includes an entry for five successive years.
“You only need to write one line every day, and it’s fun to look back on where you were a year (or two or three) ago each day,” she noted. “The journal is (also) a great before-bed ritual to reflect and stay more present, before rushing off to the next big thing.”
Southwick’s not completely sure that the memory book directly impacts her screen time, but she does feel that it’s improved her mood.
“While I can’t say it’s completely replaced my scrolling time, it’s a nice way to end my day on the right note,” she added.
It’s not necessarily a mind-blowing “hack,” but one of the more obvious ways to fight brain rot is to keep working the brain and learning. Reading is one of the simplest ways Gen Z is attempting to do that.
With Gen Z book clubs making a comeback (cue Kaia Gerber’s Library Science Book Club) and the rise of numerous BookTok trends, reading culture seems to be having its own moment.
Many Zoomers are turning to e-readers like the Kindle Paperwhite. While still technically a screen, these devices are certainly less distracting than phones, easy to travel and commute with and offer a massive library of books for download.
“I’m obsessed with my Kindle Paperwhite. I have close to 50 books on there, and anytime I need a minute to myself or am craving a digital detox, I give myself a 15-minute reading goal,” shared commerce writer, Nishka Dawhan, 28.
“I also tend to doom scroll the most right before bed, so it’s nice to have my Paperwhite right on my nightstand so I can read myself to sleep instead. I’m personally a big fan of the multi-week battery life — I can’t even tell you the last time I charged my Kindle,” she added.
Dawhan says that she loves reading Emily Henry, an author known for her New York Times bestselling romance novels, including “Beach Read”, “People We Meet on Vacation”, and “Book Lovers”. It’s stories like these that have pulled Dawhan off her phone.
“She’s one of my favorite authors as her writing honestly feels relatable,” said Dawhan. “She makes you feel like you’re a part of her story rather than the one reading it. I actually read ‘Happy Place’ in three days.”
As someone who writes primarily about health and wellness — and being a 25-year-old Gen Zer — I found myself going down the anti-brain-rot rabbit hole, and it led me to look into vagus nerve stimulation.
The vagus nerve, which starts at the brainstem and travels down the neck to the chest and abdomen, drives the body’s parasympathetic nervous system. This complex system helps regulate the body’s “rest and digest” functions, like recovering after a run or calming down after a stressful event (or, doomscrolling on TikTok).
A study by the Burrell College Institutional Review Board found that vagus stimulation increases brain alpha waves and reduces blood pressure. Further research found that it can even reduce depressive symptoms.
The first time I heard about Vagus Nerve Stimulation was while I was watching Bryan Johnson’s “Don’t Die” documentary on Netflix. Johnson explained that he uses the Pulsetto to get back to sleep at night, and I was curious enough to find out how it would affect me, too.
In my full review, I write about my experience using it the first time: “While I didn’t think I was particularly stressed out before I put the Pulsetto on, my very first session seemed to unlock a deeper level of clarity and relaxation. The chatter in my mind just turned off.”
The Pulsetto app also includes a library of soundscapes and meditations. I often use the five-to-ten-minute sessions to attempt to meditate — sometimes successfully, sometimes not so much — but I suppose it’s the effort that counts.
I’ve now started using the device more frequently, and I find myself completely reset after a short session. I’m not sure if Pulsetto has directly affected how much time I spend on my phone, but it has helped me regain a sense of control and clarity, and I tend to feel less distracted in the hours after a session.
With consistent use, the brand claims it can lower blood pressure and improve heart rate variability (HRV). Given what it’s done for me in just a couple of weeks, I’m looking forward to continuing to see how it impacts my overall health.
This article was written by Miska Salemann, New York Post Commerce Writer/Reporter. As a health-forward member of Gen Z, Miska seeks out experts to weigh in on the benefits, safety and designs of both trending and tried-and-true fitness equipment, workout clothing, dietary supplements and more. Taking matters into her own hands, Miska intrepidly tests wellness products, ranging from Bryan Johnson’s Blueprint Longevity Mix to the viral Oura Ring to Jennifer Aniston’s favorite workout platform – often with her adorable toddler by her side. Before joining The Post, Miska covered lifestyle and consumer topics for the U.S. Sun and The Cannon Beach Gazette.
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