Since 2016 I can't do live news. I was developing an ulcer. I know the media is bored and wants AMERICA: THE REALITY SHOW, but it's actually been great to not wake up and wonder what the leader of the free world said at 2:48AM. I reserve part of my day to check out the news headlines. I don't watch any news. Better if I can get a round up of important happenings and not ~feelings ~ about the happenings. I also listen to a couple of podcasts that will usually bring things to light as it relates to race or culture.
Number two empathy. I am definitely distracted by the news and trying to be on a news diet. I got back last night from a family reunion where I was surrounded by family members who talk about politics a lot. With the latest breaking news on Sunday, there was quite a bit of discussion and them wanting a constant refresh of what was going to happen next. It was good to see them, but I am definitely glad to be home.
Yep, Empathy will absorb all of that and more. (It's in my top 10 as well.) If Empathy is a sponge, I think of starting my day with stressful news like soaking that sponge in poisoned water. Everything is tainted after that.
I have definitely felt better since I slashed my news consumption a few years ago. I do occasionally skim the headlines, but find it too easy to get sucked into the scroll of stories. I know if something big/important happens, I'll eventually hear about it. Just have to get over that feeling that being uninformed (on things that don't have a direct impact on me in the moment and so are not truly urgent) is a bad thing. People are very judgy about others who are "out of the loop." Thanks for the reminder!
You’re right. Even if you’re not dialed into the news, you will find out the big things just by living in the world. And people get judgey about everything so we just have to make the choice that feels healthiest for us.
Thanks for this article and the suggested sources for "low-emotion" news sources. The balance between protecting one's mental health and still staying in-the-know is difficult to attain -- whether during writing time or any other time.
Since 2016 I can't do live news. I was developing an ulcer. I know the media is bored and wants AMERICA: THE REALITY SHOW, but it's actually been great to not wake up and wonder what the leader of the free world said at 2:48AM. I reserve part of my day to check out the news headlines. I don't watch any news. Better if I can get a round up of important happenings and not ~feelings ~ about the happenings. I also listen to a couple of podcasts that will usually bring things to light as it relates to race or culture.
I'm so glad you've found a system that works for you. It really can be a game changer for mental health and for reclaiming some version of calm.
Number two empathy. I am definitely distracted by the news and trying to be on a news diet. I got back last night from a family reunion where I was surrounded by family members who talk about politics a lot. With the latest breaking news on Sunday, there was quite a bit of discussion and them wanting a constant refresh of what was going to happen next. It was good to see them, but I am definitely glad to be home.
Yep, Empathy will absorb all of that and more. (It's in my top 10 as well.) If Empathy is a sponge, I think of starting my day with stressful news like soaking that sponge in poisoned water. Everything is tainted after that.
Yes! I watch a lot less news than I used to.
I have definitely felt better since I slashed my news consumption a few years ago. I do occasionally skim the headlines, but find it too easy to get sucked into the scroll of stories. I know if something big/important happens, I'll eventually hear about it. Just have to get over that feeling that being uninformed (on things that don't have a direct impact on me in the moment and so are not truly urgent) is a bad thing. People are very judgy about others who are "out of the loop." Thanks for the reminder!
You’re right. Even if you’re not dialed into the news, you will find out the big things just by living in the world. And people get judgey about everything so we just have to make the choice that feels healthiest for us.
OMG, I desperately needed to hear this lately. THANK YOU. <3
Glad it helped!
Thanks for this article and the suggested sources for "low-emotion" news sources. The balance between protecting one's mental health and still staying in-the-know is difficult to attain -- whether during writing time or any other time.
Agreed. It's a delicate balance, but I've found it a necessary one. Hope you find a source that works for you!