It’s hard to log onto Instagram or turn on the TV without hearing about COVID-19. The news cycle can feel overwhelming now because of the constant coverage; it’s all anyone seems to be talking about. People are consuming news to stay up to date on the latest policies regarding COVID-19. However, it’s time for people to figure out a way to reduce the amount of news they consume in order to preserve their mental health.
The uncertainty surrounding the pandemic is enticing people to turn to the media for regular updates. While it’s important to be informed about what’s going on in your community regarding regulations and quarantine, consistently updating oneself on COVID-19 related news is sure to cause more anxiety.
Roxane Cohen Silva, a professor of Psychological Science and Public Health at UC Irving, has researched the effect of the non-stop media cycle. “Silver and her collaborators found that increased television exposure to the horrific events was associated with post-traumatic stress and cardiovascular problems three years later,” writes Deborah Netburn, a staff writer for the Los Angeles Times.
Silva says that despite the uncertainty we are facing with this pandemic, constant exposure to the news isn’t going to help alleviate people’s anxieties.
“It goes without saying that obsessing over the endless coronavirus coverage will, at some point, drive you (and anyone you live with) absolutely nuts,” writes Tess Brigham, a contributor for CNBC. People’s mental health is especially vulnerable now more than ever due to quarantine. Lack of socializing and staying indoors mixed with the panic many are feeling regarding the pandemic is causing an increased risk of mental health concerns. Those, especially at risk, are older adults and people with disabilities, according to the Center for Disease Control.
While it’s very easy to say, “Just turn it off!”, how do you actually do it?
- Customize Your Feed
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People should mute or unfollow any accounts and posts sharing misinformation regarding the pandemic that make them feel anxious in any way.
- Do Not Disturb
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Notifications from news apps, like the New York Times or AP News, encourages users to consistently check their phones whenever new articles are released. Turning off notifications breaks the cycle of addictively looking at a phone whenever a new notification pops up.
- Schedule Your News Consumption
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Loretta Breuning, a former professor of Management at the University of California, “recommends limiting news consumption to one block of time each day,” writes Markham Heid for Time. Dedicating a certain time to allow for news consumption prevents the stress that comes along with the 24-hour-news cycle.
Consume news in moderation. Instead of being constantly updated, start a new hobby, journal or talk to friends on the phone and support each other through these stressful times.