7 NC Instagram accounts to help you ditch the doomscrolling

North Carolinians, now’s the time to intentionally scroll for joy. Here are some local accounts on Instagram to help you do just that.

If you’re anything like me, you’re guilty of doomscrolling, AKA constantly scrolling online news. For some of us, it’s a way to stay up to date on the news amid an uncertain future. For others, it’s a thing that feeds our anxiety with information, however pessimistic it may be.

Either way, conservative estimates say one in three social media users engages in doomscrolling, with much higher shares of Gen Z (53%) and millennial adults (46%) doing it with negative effects on our mental and physical health. This can range from an upset stomach and headaches to depression and sleep problems.

The term “doomscrolling” emerged in 2020 and is defined by Merriam Webster Dictionary as “the tendency to continue to surf or scroll through bad news, even though that news is saddening, disheartening, or depressing.” 

Fortunately, though, there’s a solution—and it doesn’t even involve spending less time on your phone: You just have to be more intentional about what you’re consuming while you scroll. 

How do you stop doomscrolling? 

Enter joyscrolling, or scrolling for the express purpose of seeking out happy content.

I can personally attest that seeing images and/or videos of baby animals never fails to make me feel happier—and science supports my claim. Viewing heartwarming content can provide us with a dose of dopamine, leading to a more positive mood and reduced anxiety.

Don’t believe me? Look at Iceland’s tourism board, which in 2020 launched a tourism campaign showcasing Icelandic sights and sounds while promoting the country’s bucolic landscape. Besides being a genius marketing plan, the site resonated across the globe, highlighting the widespread necessity for a shift away from constant disaster. 

Maybe most importantly, viewing happy content can help regulate emotions and encourage a more optimistic outlook on life, which is vitally necessary. Amidst political upheaval and strife, this can help remind us that there is still beauty in the world, and beautiful, kind people, too. 

Wondering which social accounts focused on North Carolina are great for adding a jolt of joy to your digital consumption? I especially appreciate the following:

• The WNC Nature Center’s Instagram page
  • This feed is chock full of some of the center’s most adorable critters, including red pandas, gray wolves, black bears, and river otters.

• Asheville photographer James Reynolds’ Instagram page
  • Explore glorious scenic vistas, vibrant mountain cityscapes, and seasonal events like blue ghost fireflies on this photographer’s page. Pro tip: Some of his loveliest pics can also be purchased as prints! 

• The NC Zoo’s Instagram page
  • Here, you’ll find all sorts of beautiful, beloved exotic animals like elephants, polar bears, and chimpanzees living their best lives in Asheboro.

• NC Tripping, digital content creator Christina Riley’s NC travel-centric Instagram page
  • Created as a way to inspire adventures through travel, this page showcases family travel, food, and scenery from across the Tar Heel State. 

• Asheville nature artist Heather Brooks’ Instagram page
  • Marvel at the magical mushroom art Brooks creates from foraged fungi.

• The Outer Banks’ Visitors Bureau’s Instagram page
  • This page highlights the unique history, geography, beauty, and culture of North Carolina’s iconic chain of barrier islands. 

• North Carolina Musician Murals’ Instagram page
  • A variety of murals dedicated to North Carolina’s music legends.

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