Take a Break from Breaking News
If you wake up and check email while you watch the news, don’t be surprised if you feel frazzled and stressed by noon.
There is so much good happening in the world, but it’s not as exciting as the bad stuff. The focus of news and big, breaking stories could certainly explain sleepless nights, stress and anxiety. And it’s not just breaking news. The regular nightly news will break you too. It will break your heart and your spirit. The onslaught of information about broken people and traumatic experiences can be more hurtful than helpful.
When you take a break from breaking news you can …
- sleep better
- be more optimistic
- laugh more freely
- engage in meaningful relationships
- reduce fear and stress
7 Simple Ways to Break from Breaking News
- Take a regular digital sabbatical. Once a day or for a full day every week, unplug. Disconnect so you can fully connect to what matters most in your life.
- Change the channel. If you listen to news in your car, switch to music or silence.
- Disconnect from social media sites like Twitter and Facebook. This is often where the breaking news breaks. Visit your favorite social media sites but don’t stay there all day or check in multiple times a day. Include them in your daily or weekly digital sabbatical.
- Take a walk. Go outside and experience all of the beauty right outside your front door. Leave your phone at home.
- Read. Get lost in a good book or read a classic
before you see the movie.
- Create and support good news. When you aren’t lost in bad, breaking news, you can create new projects and opportunities to help people and support people who are sharing good news.
- Be uplifting. Spend time with people who lift you up and then lift them right back.
While these simple ways to take a break from breaking news will help, a self-imposed media fast will demonstrate the real effects of the news on your physical and emotional health. Declare a 30 day media fast. You’ll still get a steady stream of information from friends and family, but without the drama and special effects of hyped up news stories. After 30 days, you will likely feel happier, less distracted and more relaxed.
Original content by bemorewithless.com
