Stay informed without sacrificing your mental health
I got home late Sunday from our backpacking trip in the Olympic National Park and then Monday we decided to meet some friends to go hike up a nearby mountain (because we’re crazy), so for almost a full week I was completely disconnected from the world around me and just immersed in nature.
And it was glorious.
It made me realize just how important it is to intentionally take a step away and give yourself a bit of a reset.
We are inundated with information. Never before in human history have we had so much information dumped on us at all hours of the day. And though some good things have come from being so connected, a lot of not great things have come from it too.
Let’s talk about some ways we can stay connected and informed but still protect our mental health since it doesn’t look like the world is slowing down any time soon…
First of all, it’s important to stay very aware of how information is affecting you physically and mentally. When you consume media of any kind whether it’s news or even just a TV show or movie, how do you feel afterward? Are you refreshed? Stressed? Do you feel heavy? Hopeless? Hopeful? Full hearted? Or depleted?
Especially with the news, it’s important to stay very in tune with your reactions. There are a lot of very distressing things happening all around us, and while it’s good to stay informed, if we inundate ourselves with it, the news can be incredibly harmful to us.
Here are some factors to consider:
What is the source of information I’m consuming?
Is it full of opinions or is it a verified source?
What is that source’s track record with accurate information?
Is their purpose to inform or is it to entertain?
How do you feel after consuming this media? More stressed? Or informed?
How much time are you spending with this kind of media?
Is it fueling or inspiring fear or hatred within yourself?
Is it full of what if’s or is focused on what is?
When the world starts to feel really heavy around you, it may be time to take a step back.
It can easily make us feel like we’re out of control and cause us to live in a state of fear or hopelessness when we focus our attention on all the potential dangers and threats around us.
While we don’t want to live with our head in the sand, we also don’t want to live in a state of constant stress because of it.
If you start to notice that you’re being impacted by the media you’re consuming, then it may be time to start putting some boundaries in place:
Be very cautious with the type of media you’re consuming. Seeing images or hearing disturbing sound bites can end up impacting us more than reading about it. Consider switching to getting your news from written sources.
Limit the amount of time you spend with negative news. Stay informed without being absorbed in it.
Avoid news that is sensationalized or listening to sources that give you more stress, even if you agree with them. Unfortunately the type of media that causes the biggest reactions also sells best, so it’s a common marketing tactic. But be aware of the effects of that adrenaline rush.
Choose to fill your mind with positive things. Start a daily gratitude practice and notice all of the tiny joys in your life throughout your day. Seek out news stories that fill your heart. Videos of pets being reunited with their owners or wildlife being saved or helped are favorites of mine.
Turn off media altogether and get outside. Spend some time in nature, go for a walk, pick wildflowers, watch the birds, actually interact with the nature around you.
Be intentional with the things you CAN control. When the world feels like it’s falling apart it can make us feel helpless, so remind yourself what you are in control of: Moving your body, eating nutritiously, drinking enough water, getting sunshine, getting enough sleep, doing calming exercises like breath work, seeking out good friends or some kind of uplifting community. We are in control of so much more than we think.
Be the good you wish to see in the world. I know it’s cliche’d, but it’s true. Make it a goal to do one small nice thing every day. Maybe you hold the door for a stranger, buy the coffee for the person behind you in line, write a note to a friend and let them know you’re thinking about them, pick up litter on the street, or maybe just make it a goal to make someone smile every day. When we focus on the good that we’re in control of, it completely changes what our brain pays attention to each day.
Intentionally unplug. Even if everything you’re consuming is positive or just entertaining, interacting with media the way that we do can keep us numb. It’s okay to be upset over the things we see around us, but we want to make sure we’re processing through those feelings, and not numbing ourselves to them. (For more info on how to do that, read this blog post here: https://www.rootandbloomholistics.com/journal/feel-your-feelings)
As the world continues on, keep on checking in with yourself. Be very intentional with what you’re exposing yourself to. And continuously ask yourself if it’s helping you or harming you. And don’t be afraid to make any necessary changes so you can actually seek out and live with mental peace.
