“Apparently there is nothing that cannot happen today.” That famous quote by Mark Twain could be interpreted several ways. The way that I take it is that some days are filled with so much information about current events that it’s overwhelming.
Being In The Know
It’s important to keep up with current events. Breaking news is important to protect the public from danger, in the case of tornados and hurricanes. But with today’s 24-hour news cycle and cable news channels needing to fill programming, often a news story such as the recent tornado in Oklahoma goes beyond telling you what you need to know and veers into sensationalism.
In fact, listening to bad news can have lasting effects. A study by the British Psychological Society found that simply watching a story on the news, not being personally involved in it, can actually cause PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). The study found that nineteen percent of the subjects had the markers for PTSD after viewing four traumatic events. The more they viewed the stories, the more the risk for PTSD increased.
How To Handle It
I’m not suggesting that turning off the news is the only way to lower your stress risk, but limiting the exposure to how much you watch can help. What if you do feel anxiety after hearing about bad news? These five activities can help:
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Take a walk. Exercise is nature’s own feel-good cure. Endorphins can balance out your anxiety and provide a sense of calm.
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Socialize. Talking with friends can be the best therapy there is. It’s okay to share your feelings about the news story, but by discussing other things, you can take your mind off of the tragedy.
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Laugh. They say laughter is the best medicine for good reason. Laughter not only increases endorphins, but also is scientifically proven to reduce physical pain. Need help laughing? Laughter yoga classes are popping up all over the country.
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Relax. When you are overly anxious, your muscles tense up and often headaches occur. To combat that, find ways to relax. Massage is one of the best ways to relax, remove tension and feel calm and lower cortisol levels (also known as the stress hormone).
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Put your health first. Knowing when to turn off the news is the first step. Healthy lifestyle habits can help you deal with stress on an ongoing basis. Meditation, eating a healthy diet of whole foods, exercise, getting chiropractic adjustments, and keeping your weight and blood pressure in check can help your body be less reactive to stressful situations.