There’s a lot going on in the world today, and staying informed has never been easier.
Smartphones give you access to not only the latest headlines, but also reactions to them on social media sites like Facebook and X.
However, the endless flow of information can have a negative impact on mental health, especially in the aftermath of a tragedy such as a natural disaster or other mass casualty event.
Here’s a look at how you can follow the news while prioritizing your mental health.
Prioritize your mental health while checking the news
According to ABC News, watching videos of tragic events, such as the recent bridge collapse in Baltimore, can make people feel extremely distressed and trigger conflicting responses from different areas of the brain.
George Everly, associate professor of psychiatry and adjunct professor of public health at Johns Hopkins University, told ABC News that “over time, the human brain becomes accustomed to daily threats, but When a novel and spectacular event (such as a collapse) occurs, it can go into survival mode, a protective mechanism.
In an interview with ABC News, Jyoti Kanwar, a psychiatrist at the University of Maryland Medical Center and assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, emphasized the importance of pausing to examine the factual details of news events.
Kanwal told ABC News that people, especially young people, need to understand that just because something bad happens once doesn’t mean it will always happen.
Tips to stay informed and healthy
Last year, CNBC highlighted five ways to stay informed while taking care of your mental health.
- Choose two or three trusted sources to follow.
- Set a time limit.
- Focus on the written article, not the pictures in the video.
- Pay attention to your body and how you feel.
- Take breaks, especially when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
