12/29/2025
Rage bait has been named the 2025 Word of the Year, and for good reason. So much of today’s online content is intentionally designed to provoke, divide, and keep us stuck in cycles of outrage and anxiety.
As a health psychologist, I see how deeply this impacts emotional well-being of my patients. Constant exposure to provocative posts has heightened stress, disrupted sleep, and leaves us feeling on edge without fully knowing why.
Today, I’m breaking down:
🌪️ Why rage bait is so psychologically gripping
🧠 How it affects your brain and nervous system
📱 Practical strategies to avoid getting pulled in
💛 Tools for calming the anxiety it leaves behind
You can create a healthier relationship with the digital world and protect your peace in the process. Remember: we have more agency than the algorithm wants us to believe.
If you notice that online conflict is shaping your mood, thoughts, or relationships, support is available. You’re not alone in this.