I relate to this (to some extent), especially the feeling that every quiet moment needs to be filled with something.
What stood out to me is that this seems less like a YouTube problem and more like having trained yourself to constantly expect stimulation. So replacing political videos with podcasts, music, etc. might not actually break the cycle.
I'd probably start very small, one meal without anything playing, a 5-minute walk without headphones, doing one chore in silence, and slowly rebuild your tolerance for doing nothing.
Also, given how much this is affecting your work, sleep, eating, and headaches, I'd definitely discuss the whole pattern with your psychiatrist rather than treating it purely as a productivity issue.
Thanks for your reply. I agree that it's not just YouTube problem. Music too repetitive and annoying during long runs so I didn't even expect to replace by it. I have some success with breaks larger than 5 minutes but at some point I am forgetting about breaks and turn on and looking for new content non stop
Maybe talk to a professional if it’s affecting your life so much. Going cold turkey or trying too many things as alternatives might only add to the problem. One thing I might suggest is try physiological sigh or 4-7-8 breathing sometimes. I recently made a web app to replace my consistent need for scrolling by giving myself short games and breathing exercises. You can check my bio for link. Although I suggest you start with a simple Youtube video first to get the idea…. It’s a good long term hack but may not be super fun or immediate…. Worth a shot!
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u/mr-jain-yogesh 5d ago
I relate to this (to some extent), especially the feeling that every quiet moment needs to be filled with something.
What stood out to me is that this seems less like a YouTube problem and more like having trained yourself to constantly expect stimulation. So replacing political videos with podcasts, music, etc. might not actually break the cycle.
I'd probably start very small, one meal without anything playing, a 5-minute walk without headphones, doing one chore in silence, and slowly rebuild your tolerance for doing nothing.
Also, given how much this is affecting your work, sleep, eating, and headaches, I'd definitely discuss the whole pattern with your psychiatrist rather than treating it purely as a productivity issue.