Why You Can't Stop Scrolling on Your Phone

Dr. Niklas Richter · 2026-06-09

We grab our smartphones hundreds of times a day. But when does that habit turn into a real problem? In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Yasmin Vantuykom, an entrepreneur, author, and former founder of the influencer agency Efluenz. After years of building a business around social media, she decided to pivot. Now, she's sharing her journey with Quyet and her new book *Scrollaholics*, which exposes our addictive relationship with screens. ### The Brain on Notifications Every ping, buzz, or flash from your phone is designed to grab your attention. Yasmin explains how these notifications hijack your brain's reward system, releasing dopamine and making you crave more. It's like a slot machine in your pocket—you never know when the next hit will come. This constant stimulation can lead to anxiety, poor focus, and even physical strain on your eyes and neck. ### Physical and Mental Toll The effects of constant screen time go beyond just wasted minutes. Yasmin shares her own struggles as a self-described "digital addict." She talks about the physical symptoms: eye strain, headaches, and poor posture from hunched shoulders. Mentally, it can fuel comparison, FOMO, and a sense of never being present. She compares it to trying to fill a bucket with a hole—you keep scrolling, but you never feel satisfied. ### Practical Tips to Cut Back Yasmin doesn't preach strict rules or guilt trips. Instead, she offers concrete, gentle strategies to reduce screen time: - **Turn off most notifications**: Only keep alerts for people or apps that truly matter. - **Create phone-free zones**: No phones in the bedroom or during meals. - **Set a "wind-down" routine**: Replace scrolling with reading, journaling, or a short walk. - **Use app timers**: But don't rely solely on willpower—set hard limits. ### Why This Matters for Entrepreneurs If you're running a business, your phone can be your biggest tool or your biggest time-suck. Yasmin's story is a wake-up call. She built her career on social media, then realized her own health and productivity were suffering. The lesson? You can be successful without being glued to a screen. This podcast is brought to you by Creatic, a company that helps small businesses and entrepreneurs build their brand digitally with strong branding, thoughtful marketing, and high-performing websites. From brand strategy and visual identity to a website that drives results, they ensure your business grows online visibly and recognizably. Curious what they can do for your business? Visit their website for more info.