07/06/2025
Where it is great to be informed, news stories can also have a great impact on our mental health. Here are a few tips to be mindful of in caring for yourself during times of distress.
1. Take charge of your exposure to media.
Be mindful of when you are reading the news (hint: right before bed is probably not a good idea)
Pay attention to how you feel when reading news or someone’s post on Facebook/Twitter or other channel. Do you feel your pulse quicken? Do you have the urge to reply with a snarky comment or a defensive comment?
Monitor your ‘push notifications’ or automatic alerts on your mobile devices. I have a friend who received an alert on her phone when a recent national shooting happened, waking her up in the middle of the night, disrupting her sleep and compromising her mood for the rest of the day.
2. Know your triggers.
You don’t have to have a mental health diagnosis in order to be more sensitive to different topics. We have all faced difficult things and some of us are simply more sensitive to certain issues. Example: someone may block PETA advertisements from Facebook because they love animals, and the information would upset them to the point of tears. Other possible sensitivities include politics, abortion, abuse, weather-related disaster, racism, war, violence against the LGBT population, etc
3. Practice good self-care.
Eat well, sleep well, exercise, drink plenty of water, spend time with loved ones, enjoy your pets and/or children, have fun and continue to be active with household duties and chores.
4. Process your feelings.
In person is probably best. I have heard my share of many disputes and miscommunications occurring over text and social media. It doesn’t hurt to be choosy about who you talk to either—talk to someone who cares about you and is like-minded when you feel sensitive or upset by events. There’s always time to converse and debate when your internal resources are shored up.
5. Talk to a therapist.
Some people are afraid that their therapist will judge them or disagree with them when they talk about social and political matters. Most therapists know that you aren’t wanting to debate, but that you are wanting to explore how to take care of yourself when social events upset you. If you are unsure, be assertive and say something, like, “I am really worried about political events today. Can we explore ways that I can manage my worries?”
6. Get involved.
Donate blood
Volunteer at the homeless shelter
Learn about how to get involved with groups who support your beliefs and values
Engage in a random act of kindness
Again, there is nothing wrong with being informed. There is a benefit to allowing yourself to passionately follow news and information about issues that matter to you, but I am here to remind you to take care of yourself while doing so. We are the most helpful and effective when we have taken good care of ourselves.
Excerpt from PineRest.org
