Musings | The News and You
“There is a direct connection between what you’re watching, reading, and listening to all day and how you feel. Your energy levels, your mood, your ambition.”
Why the news can be challenging
We can be engaged with news and media all day if we want to. However, this constant interaction with information may harm our well-being and mood. Much of the news we are exposed to focuses on disaster reporting (i.e., sensational headlines), and positive perspectives can be hard to come by. At times, the news may be presented in a way that is more about holding people’s attention instead of sharing new information. Constantly checking in can repeatedly expose us to negative images and messages without providing additional or different information to accompany the negative imagery.
Repeatedly reviewing negative images and messaging can damage our mood, perspective and overall well-being. Regularly and constantly engaging with news that relays information about tragic events creates stress and reactions that mimic the experiences of people who were present at such events or are close to people who are. Research completed after the April 2013 bombing at the Boston Marathon demonstrated that people who were not at the event but watched six or more hours of coverage a day in the week that followed experienced stress and negative impacts more predictably than those who knew someone who was present or who passed away as a result of the bombs.
In addition, the news we take in can subtly impact our dreams, influence how we calculate risk and unknowingly guide our attitudes about foreign countries and immigrants. We need the news to keep us informed and help us understand the world around us; however, this engagement needs to be deliberate and smart to protect our well-being (and our sanity).
How to engage with news in a thoughtful and deliberate way
Limit your time. Limit your exposure to news (written/scrolling or video) to a cumulative total of 30 minutes a day. Look at news feeds or media outlet reports at specific times and avoid leaving feeds running in the background. Consider removing or limiting the number of alerts you subscribe to.
Be aware. How do you feel before and after you take in the news? If your reaction to news involves increased anxiety, panic, or negative feelings, consider how, when and how often you engage with the news and make adjustments to limit your exposure and reactions. Take a few moments to reflect on these elements for a few days.
Do something healthy after. Doing something healthy and distracting after taking in the news can help us to be grounded and build resilience. Going for a walk, calling a friend, and engaging in a hobby you enjoy are examples of activities that ground us and help us reset.
We need the news, but too much of it can alter our perspectives and negatively impact our well-being. To learn more, check out the sources and resources below (and some links to good news sources too).