At a recent health event, a leading cardiologist called the habit of watching two screens simultaneously, the double screen pandemic (also known as second screening). It's not a clinical diagnosis, but the concern is real. According to him, our minds are so overstimulated, we now crave content layered over content. That got me thinking, whenever a show doesn’t match my pace or interest, I instinctively pick up my phone to check emails, messages or just scroll through mindless reels. And that’s when it hit me - this habit is silently wrecking our mental space.

We are caught in a loop that we can’t seem to break. How many times have you tossed your phone aside in frustration, wishing for peace, only to reach for it again moments later? You know it's harming your mind but still your fingers tap open Instagram, email, WhatsApp. One scroll turns into another and before you know it, you are back to the same cycle. This cycle is feeding into digital fatigue, poor sleep and leading to a dangerously short attention span - which is scary, especially for the younger generation. It is clearly a self-inflicted assault on our mental well-being.

The solution is not so complex but it needs full commitment and discipline. Create non-negotiable screen-free windows during your day - honestly to begin with even 30 minutes will help.

Find things that interest you so it doesn't feel like a chore. Pick a book everytime you feel like reaching out for the phone, or write something, scribble, doodle, paint, play an instrument, bake, whatever helps you break the habit. Go out for a walk without your phone - that little time away will do you a lot of good.

Prioritise screen-free meals with your loved ones. Reclaim your weekends even if it’s just half a day to detox from this constant stimulation of screen. Give your mind a break from the noise. Because if we don’t unplug voluntarily, burnout will do it for us.

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