How do you cope with all the bad news on tv?

Question

I used to watch the news at least twice a day. I had to know what was going on in the world & never went a day without watching world and local news.

Now I havent watched the news for over a year. I cant stand to see it, hear it or read about it because its as if the world has gone mad. Its one murder after another, bombings, abductions, disasters... I feel helpless. I prefer to meditate, sending out love & peace.

How do you watch it & go about your day?

Answer 1

I don't watch a lot of news, but I cry when I see/hear horrible things. Another way I "cope" with it is to try and do something about it, as much as I can.

Watching the news motivates me keep trying to make a difference in the world. It reminds me to donate to worthy causes, whenever I can afford it (eg anti-slavery, food, shelter, medicine and education for the poor, etc). Watching the "bad news" also helps me to make up my mind about which political party to support, who will be most likely to do something to remedy the problems... then I can make a small difference by voting. When I learn about global warming, etc, it prompts me to prepare physically for whatever disaster might happen (eg by getting food and water storage, seeds and gardening books to grow my own food, etc).

I don't think it is good to endlessly dwell upon the bad news.... but to be aware enough of it to keep trying to make a difference to the lives of myself and others is important.

I think your idea of meditation, sending out love and peace, also helps improve the world consciousness... but even more so if you share your feelings of inner peace in ways that will inspire others to do likewise.

My answer is mainly this: I "cope" by doing what I can to counteract the negativity, and by reading inspiring words.

Answer 2

I totally agree. I started feeling that way when Iraq started. It was just horrible: news got to the stage where bombings... were just normal. After a while I paid no attention to those stories, and day by day its got just like that. I suppose people do say that the media companies want to make money, and negative stories draw people in, but this makes them mad! The only things I like now are the 'odd' stories, and the stories/special reports around 15mins in on the less serious, creative topics.

I have to say I dont watch the news that often: more just on the net but still the world is getting ridiculous!

Answer 3

Televisions have an off switch.. I find that not watching news is the best way to enjoy your life. I turned off the television news for 10 years the last time I watched it it was about the Middle East, Congress and gang killings. I now tune in once a year .. guess what? its about the same things!! My life has continued without peeping into the sordid news window to find out what terrible events went on today.
These guys are doomsayers taking away from you peace of mind. Don't let them!

Answer 4

To tell the truth I don't watch that much. Tend to read a paper. You have to remember that despite the fact it seems so much, it's actually a pretty low percentage compared to the population of the world. Maybe you could try a local paper. You could still get the news and be up to date but there will not be as much murder. Also you can Skip that part if you want.

Answer 5

I tend to prefer programs like McLaughlin Group, Frontline, etc... for my news. Plus, I'll read the news on the Internet from a variety of sources (including foreign) so I can get numerous angles on international happenings.

If I watched local news I'd get too depressed. I think they should just start the average newscast with the death toll and be done with it. Not that I want to ignore what's happening, but the whole "Tragedy of the week" crud really annoys me. With the newspaper or the internet, you can skip all the "Man kills man" and "Drunk driver runs over babies" stories.

Answer 6

I put it into a biblical perspective. The Bible tells us that these things are to happen in the end times; we are to watch for them. Although God will not tell us the date or time of His Coming, He does give us "signs of the times" by which we can know that His return is near - just like when we see the buds on the trees start to bloom, we know that Summer is near. When I see all these things happen, I look up, because it means that my salvation is near.

Answer 7

I wasn't raised in a sheltered environment, and was always exposed to reality, including death and destruction. I remember looking at a dead body as a pre-school kid, and my dad saying, "That's the way it is, boy, and it's going to happen to you, too." Bad news is as old as the history of man. I just breathe a sigh of relief if those bad things aren't happening to me, personally. I guess I've just never seen a day with totally good news, so I'm not used to it. These things have always happened. It's just that it's never been as widely broadcasted as it is now.

Answer 8

I seldom watch it, once in a while. Please remember it is only what the news media decides to show us and the world is not like what is portrayed. I believe that the owners of the media want us to be afraid and depressed because we are easier to control that way. And what a boon for the pharmaceutical companies if we all get depressed and listen to them! We will be doped up and a real source of revenue.

Answer 9

Stop watching it like I have done. I only watch things that make me think. Bad news is always the same. They only do it for the ratings. Who has the worst news to report. Most of it is manipulated anyway to make someone look like the bad guy. Its a political tool to gather votes. Stop watching.

Answer 10

I watch the BBC news once daily to get an accurate account of current events going on in the world and otherwise I don't watch anything.

I hate what is going on in the world but to shut myself off totally from it isn't reality; what good would rose-colored glasses do if when you take them off you are going to go into shock because you've deluded yourself so long by not tuning in once in awhile.