Negative News & Mental Health
Negative news and mental health Pandemic, war, climate change are just some of the negative news we hear, see and read every day. Understandably, it is impossible to remain mentally unharmed by exposure to bad news. On the one hand, empathy, which is also an indicator of emotional intelligence, allows us to "put ourselves in the other person's shoes" and relate. On the other hand, stress, which in its functional version, allows us to identify impending threats in order to prepare properly, leads to the phenomenon of ‘doomscrolling’ and the continuous reading of unpleasant news.
However, the cost is quite high. In fact, recent research has indicated an increase in anxiety symptomatology and the negative impact of overexposure to bad news.
How can we manage the above-mentioned situation?
- Short term exposure limit: It is definitely important to be informed about current affairs. However, it is crucial to set a limit on the amount of time we spend being updated.
- Specific timetable: It is important to refrain from reading unpleasant news before going to bed as it may exacerbate anxiety and adversely affect sleep quality.
- Emphasizing on the positives: We need not only look for pleasant news but also focus on them. We can even dedicate some time each day to reflect on the things we have in life and be grateful.
Finally, remember that it is good to focus on what can be done, as intense worry and frustration over issues we cannot control (and consequently change) are likely to burden our mental health.
HR. PSYCHOLOGY - TODAY Team