What’s your relationship with the 24 hour news cycle?

This is a really good time to check in with yourself about your relationship with and amount of connection to the 24 hour news cycle. Our brains are not made to cope with the amount of information and stimulation that comes at us 24/7 these days. News headlines, social media alerts, texts, and emails are constant reminders of the state of the world, coming at us on the pocket computers that are always with us. Check in with yourself about how much time you are spending online and the ways in which you respond to the never-ending notifications. If you are feeling overwhelmed, this is a good time to change the frequency or type of notifications you receive on your phone, at least temporarily remove or hide social media apps on your devices, and put your phone away when you are trying to work, rest, or focus on something or someone. 

If you are visiting with someone or going for a walk do you really need your phone alerts on? 

Be thoughtful about when and how you access news. Is it better to read or listen? When is the best time for you? Spoiler alert - in bed at night is never the best time. 

Is this a good time to hide certain pages or people in your social media feed? If you don’t want to delete an app, at least hide it in a folder on the last page of your device so that it’s not right there as soon as you pick up your phone. 

Check in with yourself about how you are feeling when you are on your phone or computer. Notice when you need to take a break. 

Ask yourself what you need in this moment. 

Take a breath. 

Step outside if you can. 

Notice what is within your control right now. If there is a meaningful action you can take that is aligned with your values, do it. 

Breathe. 

Connect with people you love. 

Move your body. 

Notice something in nature. 

Listen to your favorite music. 

Read something that is fun or interesting. 

Take care of your body - stay hydrated and eat nourishing food. 

Go to bed at night (preferably without your phone).

See my previous posts about feeling overwhelmed and feeling angry. 

Thank you for reading. Please share if you found this content helpful. And please do take good care of yourself.

Jennifer Miesch, Ph.D.