Are you practicing mindful news consumption? Do you look at your phone multiple times a day and see what’s happening in the world? How do you feel after you’ve been watching and reading all of that information? Anxious? Scared? Angry? We’re worried too. Let’s take care of each other.
Mindful News Consumption
It’s easy to say we should practice mindful news consumption. But with our smartphones in our hands, we have constant access to news from all over the world. Knowing what’s happening isn’t a bad thing. However, too much of a good thing can have negative effects. A study from Arizona University found that our constant consumption of news is leading to anxiety, stress, and even worse physical health. We’re losing focus on what matters in our personal lives and having trouble sleeping.
But, what do you do? It’s important to keep up on what’s happening in our local communities and in the world. We’re not suggesting ignoring everything that’s happening. But there are some things you can do to help yourself stay informed in a way that’s better for you. Let’s talk about what mindful news consumption looks like.
When and Where
Social media is built into our lives now. A lot of people scroll through one or more social media apps multiple times a day. And that has an impact on our mental health. People on social media share their own reactions to local and world events. You may have an instant emotional reaction to their post. Does your heart start beating faster? Are you suddenly concerned? Sad? Angry? But you were feeling fine moments before.
Instead of getting news from social media, use mindful news consumption. Find news outlets, journalists, and sources you can trust. Focus on getting your news from those sources. Avoid the ones that use reactionary headlines to grab you with an emotional reaction. And control when you do it. When you’re waiting in line somewhere, you may feel the need to check the headlines, but is there a better way to spend that time? We get it. We’re looking at our phones too. It’s a habit. But it’s hurting you. So, take in the world around you! And consume your news at a certain time each day.
What and How
Are you following everything happening everywhere? Your mental health may be suffering for it. What issues are concerning to you? Consider subscribing to the local and area newspapers. Yep, we mean the physical papers. When you have a physical newspaper in your hands, you won’t be tempted to fall down a rabbit hole of links that take you someplace you never meant to go. You have more control, and the content will be consistent.
Don’t get your news from social media. Your people mean well. They’re passionate, and we’re sure you are too. But it’s better to find unbiased sources and get the facts instead of the emotions. If you dip into that stuff, limit it. No doomscrolling. Remember, it’s about mindful news consumption.
Coping
Even if you’re using mindful news consumption tactics, you will still have to cope with what you see. Bad things happen all the time, and things may look particularly dark. But there’s always a light too. It’s important to take care of your mental health as much as your physical health. When something is giving you anxiety or you’re deep in your feelings, it’s important to find something that can help you through it.
Journaling is a great outlet for emotions and thinking through a problem. You can even use your phone by speaking right into an app that can record voice notes or by using speech-to-text. Meditation, yoga, and practices like them can help as well. Go for a walk in nature. Or just sing and dance around your living room!
Take Action
With so many upsetting things on your mind, you may feel helpless. We get that. That’s why it’s important to find out what’s happening locally. How can you take action? Is there a specific piece of legislation you feel strongly about? Find a way to take action on it. Get involved with local initiatives. Where and how can you help people right in your local community? In addition to mindful news consumption, doing something meaningful will have more impact than doomscrolling! And your mental health will improve because of it, too!
