Amidst the devastating conflict between Israel and Palestine, a plethora of news reports on shootings happening across The United States of America, and the abundance of other current catastrophes, it is easy to feel an impending sense of doom. In fact, with all the anxiety and stress you feel just by looking at the headlines, it seems much easier to stay blissful in ignorance. As much as I want to tell you to do so, to simply hide away in a little bubble, as long as people are suffering in the world, it is vital for us to be educated — through the news and by the victims themselves — on what is happening to them and advocate for change. But there is a way to manage both your mental health and keep updated with the news: careful discernment of where you source your information and taking breaks when you need it.
I believe that one of our greatest traits as humans is our empathy. Empathy drives people to help strangers, allows people to relate to one another, and increases cooperation among people to work towards a given goal. However, empathy only comes from comprehension. A person cannot feel empathy for a person in a situation that they do not understand. Which is precisely why staying informed is so crucial. By being aware of what is going on in the world around us, we are equipped to help others. With information, we have the option of becoming active contributors, no matter how small, in the efforts to bring safety to those devastated by tragedy. For example, once equipped with knowledge of what is going on, you can advocate for change or start petitions and donations to aid in rehabilitation efforts for the victims.
However, it is important to not indulge only in statistics and data. Although our brains may understand the numbers given, to truly comprehend, we must go deeper and educate ourselves on the whole situation. Since only the victims are able to accurately describe what they felt, in order to empathize with them truly, we must listen to their voices. The easiest way to do that is to search for interviews or posts where they detail their experience. By being better equipped with reliable information we can make decisions that will advance our global society and spur positive change that will lead to a more harmonious society.
As important as it is to stay informed, I also understand that the truth can get very overwhelming and so I urge you to take measures to protect your own mental health. One way to do that is to get your news from credible sources. While the advancement of technology has made obtaining information far easier, it has also made the regulation of them that much harder. This is mostly due to the number of unqualified people who were given access to post content on the internet. Therefore, you, as a consumer of the media, must take steps to make sure your resources are reliable. Non-regulated platforms such as social media tend to amplify the shock value of events to gain more views and are fear-mongering. On the other hand, verified news outlets often give only relevant details that will set the foundation for one’s understanding. This basis allows you to be in control of how to curate a more holistic perspective through research.
Additionally, take some time to decompress. Determine before tuning into the news, whether you are in a state in which you can regulate your emotions. If you are not in a healthy place, take a break and center yourself. Even in daily life, balance out the time you spend getting the news by also doing activities that bring you joy. For example, what I like to do when I feel overwhelmed is to talk with my friends or family about the topic that is causing me stress. The conversations I have allow me to see the situation more clearly and interpret the facts in a different light. Remember, that it is natural to be affected by what is happening in the news and it is by no means selfish of you to put yourself first at times.
Even though it is hard and takes effort, being knowledgeable of world events is crucial. I urge you to be curious and actively expose yourself to the news while protecting your mental health and well-being. It is a delicate practice and I, by no means, have all the answers. But by consistently verifying the credibility of your sources, and taking time off when it is needed, you are already one step closer to finding that balance between staying informed and minimizing the negative effects that news can have on your mental health.
