Navigating the Line Between Denial and Overwhelm in News Consumption

There is a  relentless influx of news. This can lead to a delicate balance between staying informed and feeling totally overwhelmed. The compulsive consumption of negative news, aka “doomscrolling”, can adversely affect mental health. Studies have linked excessive exposure to distressing news to increased anxiety, depression, and even symptoms resembling post-traumatic stress disorder (Blades, 2021).

However, intentionally avoiding the news, a trend that has seen a significant rise may also lead to a lack of awareness and informed decision making about critical issues. This can lead to the risk of getting overwhelmed later as the news finds its way into one’s consciousness in spite of avoidance.

Striking a balance between these extremes is crucial. We recommend:

•Setting intentional boundaries for news consumption, such as allocating specific times for checking updates. Its very hard but try not to do it first think in the morning or right before bed.

•Choose reputable sources. Honest, measured sources helps to lower the extremes of news presented, making it more absorbable. While we may love the sources that always agree with our point of view, they may not be the best for our overwhelm. Consider NPR, 1404 or other not-for-profit news services. 

•Engaging in community activities or discussions can provide context and support

•Transforming passive consumption into active participation by engaging in conversations, applying knowledge and insights to make more informed decisions, get involved in activism and/or community involvement.

This shift helps prevent news fatigue and fosters a sense of empowerment rather than helplessness in the face of global events.

Blades, R. (2021). Protecting the brain against bad news. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 193(12), E428–E429. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.1095928