Opinion Today: Why you doomscroll — and what you can do about it
How to replace stress with action.
Opinion Today
July 9, 2025
Author Headshot

By Parker Richards

Staff Editor

What should you do when you’re too stressed to function? When you seem to always want to binge-watch a show rather than make progress on a longer-term goal? How can you cope when you feel powerless? These are the kinds of questions a lot of us spend our days asking. They’re more or less eternal — not really solvable — always eating away at our minds.

But just because something isn’t solvable doesn’t mean there’s no room for improvement. Emily Falk, a neuroscientist whose recent book focuses on making choices that align with our deeply held values, thinks a lot about how to make good choices. Falk is one of the foremost experts in her field — one of the people best positioned to think through the problems of value-decision alignment. This year, she’s had to think about it under particularly stressful conditions as the Trump administration moved to cut funding — since restored — that she and her colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania rely upon for their research.

Falk’s essay for Times Opinion — part reflection on her own decision-making through stress, and part examination of how each of us can make better choices — delves into the how and why of it all. It’s helpful in stressful times, yes, but also offers real tips for what to do when you next want to lose weight, get off the couch for a protest or get back to reading rather than scrolling.

Read the guest essay:

Here’s what we’re focusing on today:

Editors’ Picks

The interior of a room destroyed by flooding, with chairs and walls covered in muddy residue.

Zeynep Tufekci

A Fact About the Floods the Government Doesn’t Seem Eager to Discuss

The National Weather Service put out good forecasts. But a vital employee was missing.

By Zeynep Tufekci

More From Opinion

An illustration of a quarter, with added illustrations of sweat dripping from George Washington’s head and a frown. The quarter appears to be on fire against a black backdrop.

Guest Essay

Biden’s Chief Economist: The Chart That Convinced Me Our Debt Is a Serious Problem

I’m no longer sanguine about the threats posed by the nation’s deficits.

By Jared Bernstein

The Opinions

The World’s Best and Brightest Are Moving, but Not to America

Immigration isn’t a crisis. It’s the future.

play button

32 MIN LISTEN

A photo of a pensive Zohran Mamdani.

Guest Essay

If Zohran Mamdani Wins, Then What?

He would become the leftist others look to, either as a savior or as a villain.

By Ross Barkan

A photo of Benjamin Netanyahu and some officials sitting at a table across from Donald Trump and Susie Wiles.

Guest Essay

Netanyahu’s Victory Is Israel’s Loss

The 12-day war is over. But there’s no peace in sight.

By Mairav Zonszein

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel walks down a hall, surrounded by men in suits, with a slight smile on his face.

Bret Stephens

For Israel, It Pays to Be a Winner

Diplomatic breakthroughs in the Middle East are the result of military victories.

By Bret Stephens

An illustration that includes an image of Elon Musk standing partly outside the beam of an overhead spotlight.

Ross Douthat

Musk’s Third Party Starts With a Good Idea

Is there a way to elect an independent bloc of senators?

By Ross Douthat

We hope you’ve enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times.

Games Here are today’s Mini Crossword, Wordle and Spelling Bee. If you’re in the mood to play more, find all our games here.

Forward this newsletter to friends to share ideas and perspectives that will help inform their lives. They can sign up here. Do you have feedback? Email us at opiniontoday@nytimes.com.

If you have questions about your Times account, delivery problems or other issues, visit our Help Page or contact The Times.

If you received this newsletter from someone else, subscribe here.

Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance.

You received this email because you signed up for the Opinion Today newsletter from The New York Times.

To stop receiving Opinion Today, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings.

Subscribe to The Times

Connect with us on:

facebookxinstagramwhatsapp

Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices

LiveIntent LogoAdChoices Logo

The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018