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Key points
- Practice self care to maintain emotional balance during times of stress.
- Know when it’s time to take a break from media and the news cycle.
- Learn to watch the news without getting sucked into it and overwhelmed by events out of your control.
- Focus on what you can control in order to manage stress levels and stay positive throughout the year ahead.
It's easy to get caught up worrying about what the new year will bring. From economic and political changes to pandemics and climate change, the media feeds us a barrage of news stories that can easily overwhelm us with anxiety. But there are ways to manage your worries and take control of your mental health in 2023. Here are some strategies for coping with world events and knowing when you're worrying too much.
Understand the Media Cycle
It's essential to understand how the media works and their tactics to keep us engaged. News outlets often rely on fear-mongering to grab our attention and keep us coming back for more. This means they focus on negative stories, using sensationalized headlines and vivid language to draw us in. But this doesn't mean that bad news isn't real—it simply requires us to be conscious of how we consume the information and take it with a grain of salt.
Know Your Triggers
It's essential to be aware of what kind of environment triggers anxiety or depression. For example, some people may feel overwhelmed by political news, while others might be more affected by economic uncertainty. Knowing your triggers can help you manage your emotions and cope with the stress of world events.
Find Support
Connecting with friends, family, or a professional therapist can be beneficial when navigating life's challenges. Having someone to talk to can provide perspective, reduce feelings of isolation, and give clarity during difficult times. If talking to someone face-to-face isn't an option, there are plenty of mental health apps and online support groups.
Practice Self Care
It's important to practice self-care to maintain emotional balance during stressful times. Activities such as exercising, mindfulness meditation, journaling, or connecting with nature can help to reduce stress and clear the mind. In addition, taking time to focus on your physical and mental health can help you stay balanced and better equipped to handle life's challenges.
Know When You Need a Break
The media can sometimes be overwhelming, so it's essential to know when to take a break from reading or watching the news. If you get caught up in anxious thoughts or overwhelmed by events out of your control, it might be time for a mental health day away from the news cycle. Permit yourself to step away from all media sources for a few hours (or even days) if you need to reset your mind and soul.
Better Yet, Learn to Watch the New Without it Dragging You Down
This may be more of an advanced technique, but it is possible to stay informed without getting sucked into the news cycle. Developing an attitude of curiosity rather than fear or anxiety can help you stay balanced and better equipped to make decisions in uncertain times. It also helps to fill in the gaps that the reporters might not mention in the original story. For example, if you read an article about an impending economic crisis in 2023, research and read up on its causes. This way, you can understand what is going on and make decisions based on fact instead of fear (or one reporter's hot take on an issue). For tragic stories that might be upsetting, remember that people are resilient and can (eventually) cope with unimaginable losses. Trust that they won't be reliving their worst day for the rest of their lives—and neither should you.
Finally, when all else fails, remember the wise advice from Mr. Rogers, who said:
"Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping."
No matter how difficult life can seem, there will always be kind and compassionate individuals that can help make the world a better place. So remember to look out for those helpers in 2023, and take care of yourself too.
Focus on What You Can Control
When things feel out of control, it can help us to focus on those things within our power. Take care of yourself by ensuring you're eating healthy meals, getting enough rest, exercising regularly, engaging in activities that make you happy, etc. These little steps may seem insignificant compared to global issues. Still, they can make a massive difference in managing stress levels and staying positive throughout the year.
In conclusion, it is essential to remember that while the news can be overwhelming and stressful, there are ways to stay informed without getting dragged down. By being aware of your triggers, connecting with support systems, practicing self-care activities such as mindfulness meditation and exercise, taking breaks when needed, and focusing on what you can control, you will be better equipped to handle life's challenges in 2023. Remember to look for the helpers around you, too!
