Author: Dr. Ryan Holley

What is going on?

We are living through extraordinarily difficult times. Whether it relates to COVID-19, politics, racial injustice, e-learning, unemployment, or any number of imminently threatening issues—it can be so easy to spend hours combing through various media platforms each day. Of course, you want to take in as much information as you can, but it’s hard to know when to stop. Even more challenging, you may not be able to stop.

Watching the news can be painful.

Although the news is meant to provide helpful information to the public, it can also be very stressful, sad, and downright frustrating to learn about what is occurring in the world these days. No matter the time of day, the news is always available, and with advances in technology, we now receive automatic notifications on our phones as well. What was intended to be a helpful reminder of current events, can easily disrupt our daily life and consume a great deal of mental energy.

So, what helps? Listed below are a few strategies that you could consider trying.

Don’t read or watch the news before bed. 
Although it can be tempting to spend your last waking moments flipping through Facebook or reading about current events, doing so can significantly disrupt your sleep.

Learn about the facts.
Preference scientifically supported information from strong sources like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or peer-reviewed medical journals, as opposed to your favorite TV personality. Social media is not the place to learn accurate information about current events.

Limit the amount of time you watch the news.
Establish a maximum amount of time that you will spend reading about or watching the news each day. Adjust this time limit during periods of elevated stress to accommodate your mood.

Communicate and connect with trusted people.
Consuming too much media can leave you feeling alone and overwhelmed. We need to stay connected with each other, now more than ever.

Use critical thinking skills when deciding what sources of media to consume.

It’s not about what you think, but how you think.

Do not rely on emotional extremes.
Although it can be tempting to view people or events as being “all good” or “all bad,” very few experiences actually are.

Consider alternative perspectives.
When forming an opinion or judgment about current events, consider multiple sources of information, not just those that align with your belief systems.

Science matters, and it always has.
Develop informed opinions that are supported by scientific knowledge, medicine, and reason.

Fake news blues
Avoid the temptation to deny or ignore all data sources that do not support your beliefs. Critical thinking requires some consideration of differing perspectives.

As we become overwhelmed and stressed by too much media input, we tend to become irritable, worried, depressed, and disorganized in our thinking. If you are struggling and uncertain of how to best cope, please contact the Shared Vision Psychological Services Intake Department. One of our skilled clinicians can help you coordinate supportive services.