How do you consume news and manage your emotional and psychological response to what you see and hear?

For some, following news is an option. But there are some of us who work in the media and the public sector where getting up to speed with what’s happening is a must. Recent months showed us various social ills across the world. Rallies that went on for weeks, political controversies, international conflicts, natural disasters, deaths, and now, the COVID-19 pandemic.

As this continuous flow of information threaten to overwhelm me, I realize some things help me cope. I’m sharing some of these below in the hopes of helping you too in case you feel the anxiety building up.

1. We have to be aware of our own thought processes and emotions so we can better regulate them and not despair. Watch your own knee-jerk response to news. And once the news start to become worrying, panic inducing, or plain overwhelming, shut it down. Mute. Take a step back and breathe.

2. Clear out the clouds. Find a serene spot in your mind where you can stand firmly and digest news and information with objectivity and clarity.

3. Practice deep breathing. Slowly inhale and exhale for at least 10 times. Read more on meditation and mindfulness.

4. Sometimes, setting a strict schedule for consuming news also helps. To stay very much updated, I suggest you limit checking the day’s events to just 3 times a day: morning, midday, and end-of-day. Tune out news and updates outside those times.

5. Practice gratitude. Find things to be grateful for. Celebrate little wins. Appreciate little things. Find and create joy whenever and wherever you can.

6. Shift your focus to others. What are they going through? What can you do to help or make things easier? But also acknowledge your limited capacity. Much as you’d like to help, you’re not a superhero. Do the best you can and find peace in that.

7. Much of what goes on in our brain is affected by what we consume including the food we eat. Whenever possible, nourish your body with micronutrients. Studies show food can affect our mood. Eat right. Fresh. Light.

8. Lastly, get some sleep. Help your body. Proper sleep not only helps boost our immune system, it can also affect our mood. I don’t know your body’s reaction to changing sleep patterns but poor sleep makes me feel tired, irritable, and prone to depressing thoughts. Read more on Sleepfoundation.org.

Let us not forget mental health in the discourse of public health crisis. Visit U.S.’s Centers for Disease Control & Prevention for more information on anxiety management.

Praying for health, peace, and healing for all.

Note: Contact mental health professionals when work and daily living are seriously affected.