Why do we scroll incessantly through our news feeds even when it doesn't make us feel good? Doomscrolling can be seen as an almost morbid fascination with the negative. But there is some sense in it - information can be a very effective way to calm the mind. For example, when you have a problem and someone explains to you exactly what will happen next, even if the situation doesn't change, your feelings towards it may have less impact because you have a sense of knowledge and control. Doomscrolling at a basic level may be about gaining that sense of control.

We are also hard-wired towards paying more attention to a negative post. The negativity bias occurs because we often learn more from negative events, and we are also able to keep ourselves safer when we are aware of the dangers. Thus, we may be drawn more to read something negative in case we might learn something useful.

On the more positive side, negative emotion can also stir empathy which in turn boosts compassion - that in turn leads to action, and the feeling that we have done something can minimise anxiety. What we need to remain mindful of is knowing when we have 'learned enough to act' rather than have feelings of overwhelm make us switch off.

Practical ways we can support ourselves and others

1. Making donations

Recognised charities are places we can donate financially as well as meeting the needs of their appeals for food, medicine and other essentials but when it comes to donating please do be mindful:

• Contribute what you have been requested to contribute - there is no point bringing what is not needed because it can cause extra problems for the charity who then need to dispose of whatever is unwanted
• Contribute to known charities and causes - while there may be many local causes set up which are reputable, unfortunately criminals and fraudsters will also take advantage of people's generosity