Are you experiencing news fatigue?

If you have been watching the news, following the updates on different social media platforms, active on communication channels like TikTok, instagram, etc; there is one common, strong underlying theme. The theme of unrelenting negativity, apathy and calamity. And, quite frankly it is EXHAUSTING! Going by what we read and hear, one would get the impression that the world is devoid of almost everything positive; we as a race have managed to abandon empathy are borderline barbarians and doomsday is nearer now than ever before. What a horrible view of the world? And, obviously an incorrect one!

Given that ‘burying my head in the sand and ignoring the world around’ is not a viable option, I decided to go on a bit of a self-reflection journey. As I pondered on the topic the impacts of this barrage of negativity became clear to me; and it included everything from feeling anxiety to frustration, nervousness, fearfulness, even helplessness. Over time these emotions started to have an impact on my mental as well as emotional health.

So, do I have the cure?: Let me start off by saying that - I have NOT discovered the magic sauce or found the fairy dust that will cure me all that ails me. In fact what I have found is that there is no such magic sauce or fairy dust. There are however a set of small, meaningful steps that we can all take on a consistent basis to make an impact. As I list them out here, I do realize that this list is a ‘point in time’ and I fully expect this list to change and evolve with time. My hope is that my readers will (a) use this list to enhance their (b) share their tips and tricks with me so that I can grow mine. So here it goes:

Take care of myself every single day: On most days I find myself focused on taking care of matters at work, at homes, the people in our lives; as it should be. However all this need not come at the expense of taking care of myself. It took me a few too many years to realize that I had allowed 'guilt free selfcare' to falls to the wayside. In fact for the longest time it felt selfish to have to plan for and take steps to take care of myself. It took a serious medical scare to knock some sense into me and I was fortunate to have family members point out to me that I was trying to ‘pour out of an empty cup’. Fortunately for me, the message sank in and took steps to start off the day by spending a few minutes taking care of what is important to me on that particular day. Usually it is something as simple as checking in my inner self, reflecting on what I am grateful for, vigorous cardio, or practising yoga. And on some days reaching out for that second or third cup of coffee is the need of the hour. 

Take a break from the news and social media: This is a battle that I constantly have with myself. Just because I have easy access to the news and social media, does not mean I need to access it. Spending too much time on it leads me to fall into the track of ‘mindless surfing’ in addition to adding to the feeling of distress. I have learned to set boundaries that I try to maintain around watching the news channel only once a day and never after 7 pm. One of my other goals, that I am not as successful at as I would like to be, is limiting my time on social media and having ‘`no media days’ especially over the weekends. Revisiting the online subscriptions with the lens of relevance and objectivity is also on my to-do list. I have learned to allow myself the space and come to terms with the fact that I may have enjoyed reading weekly posts from this author 6 months ago and I no longer do. As things in life change, I am learning to allow myself the freedom to pivot and align as necessary.

Connecting and reconnecting with people and things that invigorate me: People and nature are the two constants that invigorate me. Taking long walks in nature, maintaining regular connections with my family and friends, working out, indulging in some form of art including writing always has a positive impact on my well being. While I may not be able to hit on all of them everyday or even on a weekly basis, making a mindful attempt to get involved in at least one thing on a daily basis is a privilege that I do not take lightly.

Acknowledging the reality of the situation and seeking help when needed: Rather than take the fallback position of shame and guilt, it is prudent to reach out to seek help when experiencing burnout and exhaustion.  Leveraging support network groups offers a means to look at things that may have worked for others that you can effectively try.

In closing I understand that news, social media and the associated fatigue is not going away. I have to find ways to limit the impact and yet stay in touch with the world. Practicing mindfulness and gratitude are some of the tools that continue to be my aids. Is there anything else you would care to share with me?