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Is The News Harming Your Health?

Posted on | by admin | 1 Comment on Is The News Harming Your Health?

It’s more difficult today not to know what’s going on in the world. From print sources to online media, to 24/7 radio and TV news stations, everybody is working to keep us informed about the news.
And it turns out that’s not always a good thing.

While you may think it’s important to stay up-to-date, when so much news, and in such detail, comes at us every day it can have a negative effect. One recent survey found more than half of Americans reporting that the news caused them stress, made them anxious, tired and even unable to sleep at times.
And yet we can’t seem to stay away. That same survey found that one in ten adults checks the news every hour and that some 20% of us constantly monitor our social media feeds.

One problem with all this news is that not all of it is what we really need to know. Cable news networks must fill up 24 hours each day and do so by first reporting a story, then repeating and emphasizing often-disturbing details, and next assembling a panel to analyze it in minute detail.

In addition, the news being reported, especially of disasters of any sort, tends to be much more visual than ever. The TV and online news are filled with not only professional video of events but often also include smartphone videos and audio clips that can have an extremely strong impact on viewers as we are drawn closer into the disaster or other events.

A first step in trying to be less affected by the news being delivered is to become more aware of how a news event changes your mood or makes your thoughts more negative. If you find yourself becoming more anxious or stressed as you watch the news, take a break and turn to a more positive activity.
You can also cut back on how much news you let into your life. No one needs constant news alerts on their phone, or to have a 24-hour news channel constantly in the background.

Experts recommend limiting your consumption of the news to one block of time each day. Maybe watch a news update at lunch, or before dinner. While it’s a good thing to be aware and informed, it’s not a good thing when too much news is negatively affecting your life and health.

CounselingWorks provides family Christian counseling on an affordable sliding fee scale. Contact us to schedule an appointment.

This article is provided by the American Counseling Association. Visit the ACA website at www.counseling.org.

Is The News Harming Your Health?

Posted on | by admin

It’s more difficult today not to know what’s going on in the world. From print sources to online media, to 24/7 radio and TV news stations, everybody is working to keep us informed about the news. And it turns out that’s not always a good thing.

While you may think it’s important to stay up-to-date, when so much news, and in such detail, comes at us every day it can have a negative effect.  One recent survey found more than half of Americans reporting that the news caused them stress, made them anxious, tired and even unable to sleep at times.

And yet we can’t seem to stay away.  That same survey found that one in ten adults checks the news every hour and that some 20% of us constantly monitor our social media feeds.

One problem with all this news is that not all of it is what we really need to know. Cable news networks must fill up 24 hours each day and do so by first reporting a story, then repeating and emphasizing often-disturbing details, and next assembling a panel to analyze it in minute detail.

In addition, the news being reported, especially of disasters of any sort, tends to be much more visual than ever. The TV and online news are filled with not only professional video of events but often also include smartphone videos and audio clips that can have an extremely strong impact on viewers as we are drawn closer into the disaster or other events.

A first step in trying to be less affected by the news being delivered is to become more aware of how a news event changes your mood or makes your thoughts more negative. If you find yourself becoming more anxious or stressed as you watch the news, take a break and turn to a more positive activity.

You can also cut back on how much news you let into your life. No one needs constant news alerts on their phone, or to have a 24-hour news channel constantly in the background.

Experts recommend limiting your consumption of the news to one block of time each day. Maybe watch a news update at lunch, or before dinner. While it’s a good thing to be aware and informed, it’s not a good thing when too much news is negatively affecting your life and health.

life.

CounselingWorks provides family Christian counseling on an affordable sliding fee scale. Contact us to schedule an appointment.

This article is provided by the American Counseling Association. Visit the ACA website at www.counseling.org.

Face It — Holidays Are Rarely Perfect

Posted on | by admin

Seasonal TV shows… sparkling gifts in stores… magazines full of beautiful holiday scenes. We’re often shown the holiday season as an amazing and joyful time, but maybe your personal holidays aren’t quite so perfect. And this can be disappointing for many people.

We’d all like everything to be as wonderful as in the movies, but it’s not a fair comparison when we measure how our lives and holidays compare to what the media is constantly showing us. While it’s fine to enjoy all we see, we must remind ourselves that those TV holiday shows look so good because they’ve had many professional designers creating just the right touches. The same thing goes for the holiday store displays or those strikingly beautiful magazine ads. None of these show real life, but rather an idealized version made specifically to impress us.

The perfect holiday world of ads and TV aren’t the only reason some of us suffer holiday blues. This is often a time of the year when we forget about eating and living healthfully. We overeat when tempted by holiday treats. We may drink more alcohol than usual. We probably are blaming the weather and our busy holiday schedule for not bothering to exercise.

There are, fortunately, things you can do to combat blue holiday feelings. Rather than envying the fantasy lives you see on TV or imagining how wonderful the holidays are for your neighbors or other friends, instead focus on all the things in your own life that are good and positive. Identify all the things you personally have and enjoy about this season.

You can also fight blue feelings by keeping control of your life. Avoid excess treats and drinking. Enjoy holiday special foods and beverages in moderation, stick with your regular schedule, get plenty of rest and make time for daily exercise, even if it’s just a brief walk. It’s also important not to isolate yourself. Find time for family and friends, and enjoy the season with them. Time spent with others can do a great deal to improve your mood.

But for some people, the holiday blues can be difficult to fight. Sad holiday emotions, like all depression, can become a serious mental health problem and not one to be ignored. If depression is affecting you, talk to a professional counselor who can provide help so you can make the best of your holidays and life.

CounselingWorks provides family Christian counseling on an affordable sliding fee scale. Contact us to schedule an appointment.

This article is provided by the American Counseling Association. Visit the ACA website at www.counseling.org.