With a 24-hour news cycle and constant social media updates, it’s impossible to ignore current events. From climate crises to a potential impeachment, shootings and more, the world is constantly changing. And while staying informed is important, it’s also crucial to recognize the impact of these issues on mental health and how to protect your emotions from negative impacts.
For example, many people overestimate how likely it is for a rare event to happen to them, such as being struck by lightning or a plane crash, and this overestimation can trigger anxiety. Psychologists can help their patients size up risks more realistically, Brauer says.
It’s also important to consider the age of children and what they should or shouldn’t be exposed to, he adds. Young kids don’t have the ability to understand or process what they’re seeing and hearing, which can cause trauma and lead to negative emotional responses like fear and depression.
Aside from limiting news exposure and identifying triggers, practicing mindfulness and channeling concern into activism or community engagement can all help mitigate negative effects of current events on your mental health. But perhaps the most important strategy is to remind yourself that you can’t control everything that happens in the world, but you can control how much of it affects your mood. Determine your green, yellow and red lines (news that doesn’t bother you, bothers you or causes a reaction) and stick to them.