Today I woke up, picked up my phone and immediately checked my news feed. Unfortunately, like many people, this has become a habit for me. I talk with people all the time who ask how they can stay informed and take care of their mental health at the same time.
I have my usual advice, monitor how much news you digest, notice what is coming up for you when you feel compelled to watch the news, exchange doom scrolling with another, healthier activity like taking a walk or meditation....
All decent advice. So why don't I follow my own advice? Why did I wake up today, and to be honest, yesterday and probably several days prior to that, and immediately check the news? I already know what I will find - primarily things that make me feel anxious and maybe even depressed.
So, I decided to get curious....
I decided to take my own advice and notice what was coming up for me when I reached for that phone. I noticed a desire for information. Ok. So, I got curious about that. Why did I want information? I noticed an overall sense of anxiety and a need for safety.
So, I got curious about that. Safe from what? The world can feel like a scary place. Am I trying to feel safer in the world? If I am trying to feel safer then why don’t I turn off the news? Why do I want more?
Sometimes when we are anxious we believe if we see every possibility and have all the right information we can keep ourselves safe. This is true to some extent. Being prepared is a good thing. However, obsessing over information is not helpful. So, we need to be aware of our intake of information AND how it is making us feel.
As we watch the news, we get a quick fix of information that might make us feel temporarily like we have some control over the scary situation. As we continue to watch, we become more afraid, and then, looking for that quick anxiety fix again, we continue to watch. And we find ourselves in a vicious cycle!
What to do about this endless cycle? Recognizing what is going on is the first step. Then noticing those things you do have control over in our life. And perhaps starting with turning the TV off or putting away the phone! The things you do have control over include how you manage your anxiety. You can take a walk, meditate, do yoga or play with your dog. Next step, get involved. Volunteering for an organization that means something to you can be empowering.
We are often looking for that quick fix for our anxiety. Unfortunately, often the things we do to “fix” our anxiety actually cause it to increase. Take a moment the next time you feel compelled to look at the news. What is this actually about for you? Perhaps, like me, you are ultimately hoping to decrease your overall anxiety.
If you need further support with anxiety, stress or other mental health issues, reach out for a free consultation. Andrea@AndreaHarbeckTherapy.com www.AndreaHarbeckTherapy.com