Link – Is the News Ruining Your Life?

For many of us, this is an ongoing issue, but it seems to have only gotten worse.

For most of the issues that are reported on there is very little, if anything, that you can do to affect them. So, it is probably a good idea to start evaluating the real value knowing about the latest shooting, melting glacier or failed terror plot has on your daily life. Are you better served knowing about every little thing said by a political talking head, or by focusing on being the most positive and productive version of yourself? Chances are the latter.

If you find yourself so touched by something that is going on, to the point of feeling driven to do something, there are plenty of ways to get involved in solutions. But, be careful. Becoming part of a “cause” can be noble, but it can also take over your life.

The bottom line is that the 24/7 news cycle can be addictive. And, like any addiction, it can be destructive. As odd of a thing as it may seem to say, be wary of how much news you consume. The news can consume and take over you.

The internet can be a great place to learn more about the world, the people in it, and to find common ground. It can also be completely overwhelming to have that much information that actually doesn’t impact our day to day lives, yet we let it. That is not good for our mental health. I worry about some child abuse and mental health advocates. Spending so much of your time reading about abuse cases and being outraged over all of them isn’t a really sustainable way to go through our lives. At some point, you need to take care of yourself.

https://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2017/09/23/is-the-news-ruining-your-life/