Your Timeline Determines How You Feel and How Your Brain Is Wired

Your Timeline Determines How You Feel and How Your Brain Is Wired

November 4, 2026

Coincidentally, it is the day after the midterm elections in the United States. According to the news, particularly on my timeline, the president suffered a major defeat. But enough is already being written about that.

However, an article in National Geographic dated September 11, 2025, which I came across yesterday, is also related to this.

How News Affects Your Brain and Body

According to the article, scientific research has shown that what we consume while scrolling affects us:

“Experts say graphic images, nonstop outrage, and the 24/7 negative news cycle don’t just upset us—they alter our stress response and harm mental health.”

In other words, scrolling through negative news is not good for our mental health. The problem is that we have only indirect control over what the algorithm puts on our timeline.

We think we control our timeline, but perhaps our timeline controls us.

The point is that we have reached a stage where it is becoming wise to ration our screen time and spend less time (quantity) consuming negative news.

What do you think?

Miguel Goede