I find there is a direct correlation between daily news consumption and my internal stress levels. Meaning: the more headlines I read (Trump! Russia investigation! Government shutdown! Transgender military ban! The economy! Immigration! Hate crimes! Global warming! Wars! Brexit! Aahh!!) the more I anxious and hopeless I feel.
Let's face it - most of the news we read is negative. Maybe it's evidence of our natural negativity bias or perhaps we're evolved to react quickly to potential threats. Whatever it is - instinct or vigilance - what if being too informed is bad for our health?
According to the American Psychological Association, 63 percent of Americans say the future of the nation is a very or somewhat significant source of stress. Also consider that 1 in 10 adults checks the news every hour and 20 percent of Americans report constantly monitoring their social media feeds (exposing them to the latest "bad news," whether they like it or not). It's no wonder we're all walking around with a lot of cortisol in our bodies.
In the name of mental health, I conducted an experiment on myself over the holidays: a news blackout for one week. This meant no New York Times, no checking my social media feeds, and no initiating conversation about politics.
You know what happened? I made A LOT more space for things that contribute to my longevity. I got lost in good books. I flipped through my favorite magazines and looked at all the pretty pictures. I went for long walks by myself. I watched Christmas movies and snuggled with my kids. I enjoyed meals, unhurried and uninterrupted. I had deep and meaningful conversations.
At the end of my self-imposed news blackout, I noticed my spirit wasn't as agitated. My soul was calm, like still waters. Even physically, my muscles felt less tense. My shoulders were more relaxed. My digestion was better. I slept through the night. And when I "returned" to the world (you can't stick your head in a hole forever) I had with me that very precious mental commodity: perspective.
Do you read the news every day? Does it make you feel worried? Maybe taking yourself off the news grid every once in a while would help you, too. Try it, and let me know how it goes!
How about some good news? (Good News Network)
