I find when I'm doing this the work feels overwhelming. So I'm doing it to alternate between stressful / overwhelming task, and some relief. I do this because of an inner critic that's being too harsh about my work. I need a break from that critic, so I go do something meaningless / and easier.

I wouldn't shame yourself for doing this. Contrary to popular belief, I think a lot of people alternate between non-work and work for similar reasons.

In fact this kind of going back and forth is one of the only ways I've gotten anything done