The American Psychological Association’s (APA) 2024 Stress in America poll reported that more than 7 in 10 adults reported that the future of the nation is a significant source of stress in their lives. No matter your beliefs, there is no doubt that something in the news has stressed you out lately. But how can you stay up-to-date on local and world news without negatively affecting your health?
In today’s world, the news is never-ending. With social media and the internet, it seems like bad news is everywhere, no matter where we are or where we look. This constant stream of news can take a major toll on your mental health over time, causing excess stress that no one ever wants to deal with.
It starts with limiting your news consumption. Dr. Steven Stosny, a therapist who treats individuals suffering from anger and resentment, said in a 2022 interview that “Whenever you focus on things you can’t control, you feel powerless. Anger is really a cry of powerlessness.”
When we see headlines in the news that upset us, they can usually cause very negative feelings. Experiencing these feelings can lead to anger, anxiety, worry, or a complete mental shutdown when we feel overwhelmed. If we get overwhelmed, we stop worrying about the outside world in order to protect ourselves. But being educated is important, so it’s important to learn how to consume the news the right way to protect your mental health.
If you notice that consuming the news makes you feel bad or anxious, it might be smart to step away and disengage from the news for a bit. This is an especially important thing to do if you find yourself doomscrolling to find answers when you’re feeling afraid or anxious.
Instead of doomscrolling, call a friend or family member, take a walk, read a book– anything you enjoy doing to take your mind off the news. If you’re concerned or stressed about a particular event or cause, get involved if you can, whether it be protests, volunteering, or whatever you feel called to do.
And when you’re ready, you can check the news again. It’s important to remember that even when the bad news seems never-ending and you feel stressed, there will always be good news to look forward to.
