Getting away from a bad news story can be challenging. The news has a significant impact on your daily life.
Whatever sets you off, the goal is to balance staying informed and not becoming overwhelmed by the news. This article has some tips on how to stop negative news stories from affecting your mental health.
What Are the Psychological Impacts of Getting Negative News?
Fear, doubt, and utter despair have ties to anxiety resulting from negative news consumption. Studies have found a correlation between mental well-being and what you consume from the news.
A 1997 study found that negative news broadcasts make people sad and anxious more than neutral ones. It makes it more likely to trigger personal anxieties and can lead to increased anxiety levels in other areas of our lives.
5 Tips for Dealing With the Negative News
The key to good health is moderation, as with many other things in life. Being informed isn’t just a good idea, but it’s a requirement.
To maintain a healthy outlook while staying up to date, look for important news like COVID-19. It helps you put your plans in motion and safeguard your loved ones. Once you have that information, you can turn off the news.
To help ease the mental and emotional toll, the CDC recommends taking breaks from watching or reading news stories. The reason is it’s upsetting to hear about a pandemic repeatedly.
You may ask, how do you go about it?
1. Limit Consumption
Taking a break from the media is essential in regulating news consumption. It is possible that you’ve noticed a trend in the adverse effects you’re having. Is it worse if you read the news in the morning or right before going to bed?
If this is the case, limit your exposure to certain times of the day. Some news sources can use content or reporting styles that can distress or trigger.
They may be abrasive, biased, or controversial in their approach to the subject. If this is the case, look for more positive sources.
2. Focus On the Positive
Attempt to identify some optimistic sources of inspiration if negative news coverage triggers you. For example, WHO recommends focusing on recovery stories during the current pandemic.
3. Take Control Over Your Emotions
When you’re feeling down, don’t blame yourself. Remember that it’s okay to feel this way. Accept that you are also in charge of how you react. Your sense of control and empowerment can help you develop a more positive coping strategy.
4. After the News, Do Something Healthy
Every day, most people must consume some form of news. Make a conscious decision to do something uplifting or healthy after hearing negative information.
It can help ease the accompanying fear, anxiety, and worry. Consider going for a walk, calling a friend, or engaging in a hobby. They are healthy distractions that keep you grounded and resilient.
5. Seek Support
There are support groups and therapists who can help you. You must understand the value of healthy social support and that asking for help is a powerful and positive step. The support groups will point you in the right direction for extra help.
Bottom Line
It is not always easy to strike the right balance between keeping up with current stories and becoming overwhelmed. When the news cycle brings you down with an outpouring of bad news, it’s critical to ask, “What do you hope to get from this?”
You must put your mental well-being first and ask for help if you notice adverse effects.
