Media and Its Impact on Stress
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Non-stop news coverage has made many of us feel dazed and overwhelmed. Our extensive use of instant-messaging technology and mobile phones allows news to spread faster than ever, exacerbating our anxiety. This phenomenon is so pervasive that it is called “headline stress disorder” (Dong and Zheng, 2020). Dr. Steven Stosny was the first to define this condition as a high emotional response to endless news reports, causing anxiety and stress. While not a medical diagnosis, continuous anxiety, and stress may cause physical functional disorders. These disorders include heart palpitations, chest tightness, and insomnia, leading to more severe conditions.
The constant barrage of traditional and social media information can significantly impact our stress levels. Early studies have found that too much media can undermine mental health.
Put Yourself on a Media Diet
With all the uncertainty we are living with, it is tempting to seek information to help us understand what is going on and plan. However, spending large blocks of the day scrolling through media feeds can be emotionally damaging. Decades of research have shown that a lack of control fuels stress. Our sense of risk is driven by emotions more than looking at data, statistics, and evidence. We then extrapolate those feelings and emotions into the future, causing even more stress than before.
It's essential to remember that how we interpret reality governs our emotions and actions, not necessarily the situation's reality. One way to ensure that we stay apprised of what is happening is to put ourselves on a media diet. Here are a few things we can do to manage our media intake:
Find reliable, trusted news sources. It is natural to seek out news sources that reflect our biases and philosophy. However, it is vital to ensure that the news sources we select for information have a reputation for being objective and comprehensive.
Set boundaries of when, where, and how often you engage in news feeds. There are lots of choices of media to receive our news. Many people report watching TV all day as they do their normal activities. This may appear a good idea but consider this: even with trusted sources, you hear the same message repeatedly all day. Of course, the media often seek out the most dramatic and negative news they can find because they know it catches our attention. A day of hearing negative messages is highly likely to leave us uninformed, discouraged, and pessimistic about the future.
Seek out media whose philosophy is different from yours. Occasionally, try doing your fact-checking. Take a topic that interests you and do an internet search to see what others say about the subject. This may give you a perspective that is worth considering.
Avoid getting into heated debates. Arguing and trying to convince someone of your point of view on a controversial topic is highly likely to result in feeling frustrated and causing a break in that relationship. Instead, try conversing with someone with a different perspective out of curiosity and nonjudgment. See if you can understand why they think the way they think. Remember that listening for understanding does not have to mean that you agree. You may find that this gives you a better understanding of that individual and builds your relationship instead of hurting it.
Try at least one of these ideas in the next few days. You may find that you are less stressed and see the good in the world again.