Care for the carers
As humans, we are inherently social beings. We are born to connect with and care for others.
Posted 21st June 2024 by Kelly Pavan
In today’s interconnected world, staying informed is more accessible than ever before. Whether it’s an official channel or via social media, the 24-hour media cycle amplifies exposure to news content, making it challenging to escape a bombardment of negative and frightening information.
So, should we turn off the news for the sake of our mental health?
Consuming news can help us stay informed about current events, enhance our understanding of the world and promote mental stimulation. Positive news stories can inspire hope, gratitude, empathy and foster a sense of community and optimism. Additionally, being knowledgeable about local and global issues can help us to engage in meaningful conversations, connect with others and participate in collective efforts towards positive change.
However a relentless stream of negative news can have an adverse effect on our wellbeing. Consuming depressing media stories can lead to feelings of anxiety, helplessness and even depression. Constant exposure to tragic events can overwhelm our senses and leave us feeling emotionally drained. Random knife attacks, domestic violence, the cost-of-living crisis, climate change and international conflict, are just a few examples of recent headlines that are cumulatively causing people distress.
Research published in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology found that exposure to negative news leads to increased anxiety, sadness, and general negative mood; and similarly, a study in the Journal of Media Psychology revealed that frequent consumption of negative news is associated with higher levels of stress and lower psychological well-being (Utz & Breuer, 2017; Davey et al., 2019).
To find a balance between staying informed and safeguarding our mental health, it’s essential to adopt mindful media consumption habits. Here are some strategies to support this balance:
As humans, we are inherently social beings. We are born to connect with and care for others.
Frustration, overwhelm, panic, or perhaps a level of desensitisation to unfolding events are some normal feelings in response to this kind of prolonged stress.