I am a news-junkie. The newspaper, television news, the radio,and the Internet news sites, too, are like friends to me. When I have been tied up all day and not had a chance to catch up on the news, I often feel like I am missing something.
Lately, I find that instead of being interested in what I hear and see in the news, I dread it. I know I am not alone-- this is a really stressful time for us all!
There are very few of us who can honestly say that the last 6 months have been stress free. Between the economy and the elections, the constantly volatile stock market, the bailouts and the foreclosures,the multiple wars, the car company failures, the stimulus bills, the growing national debt and the housing crisis, we are bombarded from every side with REALLY bad news and uncertain forecasts. The worst thing is that we have no idea the many ways that these events and circumstances will affect us in both the short term and long term. Talk about stress provoking!
When I can't take it anymore I have begun giving myself 'vacations' from the news. They kind of remind me of the 'time outs' I used to give my kids when they needed to get away from a situation and modify their behavior.
Instead of listening to the ever-present news radio in my car, I switch on music. I used to catch up on CNN while I was on the treadmill and now I watch MTV or VH1. It isn't so much that the music relaxes me, it is that the music doesn't cause stress. Without the constant feeding of the 'stress monster,' I find my brain can begin to heal itself and the positive thoughts can return.
In this very difficult time, I think it is important that we each find a way to 'take a time out' from the hard reality of what is going on. So whether your escape is music, exercise or reality television--or anything else, give your mind a chance to think of other things...take a time out from the world and let your smile come back!
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I hope you have an amazing weekend.
From one news junkie to the other--totally understand...yet, I cannot seem to turn off the news....or I feel I'm missing something....but I try to feel blessed and grateful each day! Things will get better....they have to! I just wish I knew WHEN
Holly - interesting post. I too am a news junkie and have recently done exactly what you are saying. Listening to music in my car instead of NPR and streaming music on my computer instead of news. You are so right - it works wonders for your stress level.