This article is so important right now! I have been checking in with my clients on how much time they are spending keeping track of Covid-19 news. While I understand that people want to stay informed, the rate of new information and abundance of sources to listen to are taking a significant toll on our mental health. This article explains that reading these news article activates on our flight or fight response in our brain. We are finding that people are not feeling better when they gather information but feeling more anxious, more scared, and more depressed.
I would encourage everyone to take 2 days off a week of reading, watching, or listening to new reports. When you do engage the news, limit the amount of time and sources. Don’t think of this as “sticking your head in the sand” but allowing your brain and body to have a much needed break in order to be able to handle personal and life stressors more effectively. Your mental and physical health will thank you for it!
