Put down your phone, give your brain a break: ‘Brain stacking’ takes social media by storm

Social media has become an inseparable part of everyday life. It is easy to lose track of time while scrolling through Instagram Reels featuring strangers' lives, trending songs and viral content. What starts as a quick check can easily turn into hours of mindless scrolling. Now, a new social media trend called ‘brain stacking’ is encouraging people to put down their phones and spend more time on offline activities.

What Is Brain Stacking?

Brain stacking involves bringing together a collection of offline activities that keep the mind engaged. Novels, books, diaries, puzzle books, crosswords and drawing supplies are among the items commonly included. The idea is to arrange these activities in one accessible place so that they become an easy alternative to picking up your phone. Whenever the urge to check social media strikes, the idea is to reach for a book, solve a puzzle or spend some time writing in a journal instead.

Social media creators have been sharing videos of their neatly arranged brain stacks as part of their morning and nighttime routines. TikTok creator Mandy Rulez is among those credited with popularising the trend. These videos often feature carefully arranged collections of books, journals and puzzles, making the practice as visually appealing as it is practical.

Replacing endless scrolling with activities such as reading, solving puzzles or drawing can offer a refreshing change of pace. These activities engage the mind in different ways and provide an opportunity to take a break from screens. The good thing is that you don't need to spend money on new books or supplies to get started. A half-read novel, an old diary or even the puzzle page from a newspaper can become part of your brain stack.

The trick is to keep these things within easy reach, just like your phone. That way, whenever you feel like reaching for your mobile, you have something else readily available to occupy your time. Brain stacking is not an instant solution to excessive phone use or problems with concentration, as building a new habit takes time. But even a few minutes spent reading, writing or solving puzzles instead of scrolling can be a refreshing way to spend your free time.