How often do you read, watch or listen to the news? If your answer is, “Too often!” you are not alone. A recent survey reports that one in 10 adults checks the news every hour and 20% say they are constantly monitoring their social media feeds- which often include news stories. Just think for a minute about how things have changed. It used to be that you had access to newspapers which printed once a day. Then there was morning and evening TV news. Now we have access to constant news. News outlets need to have eye-catching titles and stories every minute, not just daily.
What does all this news exposure do to our brains? It keeps it on continual alert. Research shows that watching an upsetting news report (Pretty much all of them are upsetting!) increases feelings of stress and worry even while just doing daily activities. This constant elevated level of cortisol can lead to negative moods, sleep disruptions, anger and for some PTSD. Our brains which are negatively biased (created to keep us alive) become even more negative as the news offers stories of doom and gloom. A consistent diet of negativity and stress leads to health problems including inflammation which can lead to rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease and other serious health concerns.
So how do we keep informed without negatively influencing our moods and health? First of all, know yourself. Some people are very sensitive and highly effected by negative stories. If you are – severely limiting news intake may be a lifesaver . Believe me, your friends and family will keep you up-to-date on the big stories! Reading vs watching the news is another way to lower negative impact. For those of you who do not feel quite so effected keep the news to a block of time during your day. Maybe right after lunch or dinner. (Not right before bed!) Catch up on the news and then do something positive to release the stress-hormones in your body. Go out and exercise, read or watch something funny.
Well, off I go to take my own advice. I have seriously been watching, reading and listening to way too much news! Time for more fun and less fear.
Have an amazing Monday! (and everyday.)
Leanna Fredrich, Leadership, Career and Stress-Management Consultant
Leanna@amazingmondays.com