How to Cope with the Stress of the News
The constant flood of news can be overwhelming—especially when it impacts causes and communities we care deeply about. If your nervous system feels fried, you’re not alone.
Here are three ways to manage this non-stop news cycle (and the stress that comes with it):
Dosing & Timing. Be intentional about when and how much news you consume. Would you drink eight cups of coffee at midnight? Probably not because you want to sleep. That’s an example of dosing and timing. Consider making an agreement with yourself only to consume news at particular times of day and for a set duration. For example, “I’ll check the news for ten minutes when I sit down at my desk (and that’s it).” You may even set a timer, so you don’t go down a rabbit hole. Or, “I’ll listen to the news in the car during my commute (and that’s it).”
When’s the best time of day for you to subject yourself to the news? Notice my choice of words. Consuming news causes stress.
We need to shift our mindset from, “Staying on top of the news constantly keeps me safe,” to “I’m in charge of when and how I consume news to manage my stress—that’s what keeps me well.”
Find Small Ways to Take Action. Even when the issues feel massive, doing something—like donating, calling your congressional representative, or joining an advocacy group—helps us process stress and feel more empowered. Over time, failing to act can reduce our sense of agency, and the stress builds.
What’s a small action you can take?
Set Realistic Expectations for Yourself. Stress impacts our emotional bandwidth, creative capacity, and cognition. Be mindful of your workload and give yourself grace.
Where can you loosen your own expectations? Or what can you let go of?
And don’t forget: Self-care isn’t optional right now—it’s essential.
