This may sound ridiculous, but all the negative press is really taking a toll on me. It's not like I can avoid it. If I'm watching a sitcom, a news brief will come on with some negative news story. If I'm driving in the car listening to the radio, a negative news story will come on. If I'm in the office, they're talking about the horrific news. If I load the internet, it's front page news, all the drama around the world. I could stick my head in the sand, which is what most people will tell me to do. I would rather live in society like a person, but I can't get all the negative imagery and stories out of my head. Even my email in-box has drama in it. The family is talking about the horrible news around the world, the newspaper is right in the front of the store when I get my morning coffee. My question is, how can I possibly live my life and not be turned upside down by the constant negative pounding of the news everywhere I turn? How do I do it?
2006-12-30 10:16:00 · 8 answers · asked by Lori E 4 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
I think the first step is to talk to the guy who loves you. You know he can make you laff and feel better. I'm sure he will be there for you...in fact I can guarantee it.
2007-01-03 05:51:42 · answer #1 · answered by FRANKFUSS 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you have to put the papers down and turn off CNN for long stretches now and again. Take the family to the park, crack jokes.
I think we have gotten to the point in this culture where you have to be proactive about balancing all the negative and fear-enducing reporting we are getting.
There are some that believe the propogation of fear is deliberate. That may be so. Some think it benefits those that are benefiting from the current structure of society, to keep us distracted or afraid to pursue changes in the culture.
At any rate, theories aside, I think moderation is the key here. No one can sustain the stream of negativity that comes in the news these days.
Aside from lowering the quantity of negative news you take in, you can also lower your fear and ill-feeling by getting more involved politically, if you can.
Ultimately, I think the two choices in culture nowadays are:
1. Turn the TV off and focus on your micro world. Focus on what your locus of control, your domain. You can spread the positives at home, at work, etc. Tune out the large scale news issues over which it is hard to perceive that you have any control.
2. Dedicate yourself to political action. This is a thankless and demanding path, but also intensely rewarding. It is so consuming, though, it almost requires that you are independently wealthy and earnings are not a problem.
I am struggling through this choice myself. I would like to choose #2, but I lack the resources.
2006-12-30 10:26:32 · answer #2 · answered by Murphy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some suggestions:
1. Seek out some positivity. There ARE good things happening out there, even though you might have to go beyond the news headlines to find them.
2. Do some good. You may not be able to stop violence in the Middle East, but you can make someone's day with a little act of kindness.
3. Buddhism. It helps me--the book i read (Wide Awake: A Buddhist Guide for Teens by Diana Winston) gave advice on how to be happier and more peaceful and still be socially engaged.
2006-12-30 10:42:29 · answer #3 · answered by Stella 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I seriously stopped watching the daily news for that very same reason. Although the media is everywhere you go, after I stopped watching the nightly news and getting the newspaper, I find that I am much happier. If something important happens in the world, it will make the headlines on the Internet or someone will tell me about it. Start there and see if it gets better. Also, maybe start writing down five positive things you experienced each day before you go to bed. Positive always overrides negative, and it will seep into your consciousness as you sleep.
2006-12-30 10:25:15 · answer #4 · answered by angel444 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I personally don't watch the news for that reason. I want my last day on earth to be a positive thing and I live everyday as though it could be my last. I know it's going on because as you say it's all around us but I listen and then think of the positive and beautiful things that happened in my life that day. I'm grateful to open my eyes to light in the morning, to get out of bed and be mobile, to allow me to go to work and drive my bus load of children and feel the new life they have to offer to the world. I remind myself that it might not be of that great an importance in my life and tomorrow there will be something else. SO WHY STRESS IT!
2006-12-30 10:37:15 · answer #5 · answered by Nanlee 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well today there is too much communication, we get it on the web, TV, radio, new papers. I know it seems that the world is going down hill. But no, its always been meanness and murder and so on. But there was not the communication and well if something is happening lets say in another state, well you would not know about it. Everybody is so concerned with Saddam, well there has been always some kind of tyrant around, Look at Hilter, Jesse James, Napoleon, and so on. But in those times you really did not hear about them like you would today. Keep your chin up and you may to avoid the news on TV and just read the news in the paper, so you can pick what to read about. There is still good in this world.
2006-12-30 10:30:24 · answer #6 · answered by tnbadbunny 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Change the channel/Turn your head
OR
Learn to deal with reality and stop stressing out so much. It sounds like a visit to a doctor may be in order also. I say this out of genuine concern over your mental health.
2006-12-30 10:24:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like you find it somewhat overwhelming, and difficult to cope. I do what I have to do to keep from shutting down..........I Don't watch the news!
I Won't watch the news. If someone tries to tell me about bad things in the news, I zone out and I CAN'T hear them.
Learn to shut yourself down as opposed to being shut down .
2006-12-30 10:26:57 · answer #8 · answered by LucySD 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋