How to Avoid Being a News Junkie

It's impossible to know everything about everything taking place everywhere in the world. But in this information age, we are bombarded with images - most of them pretty bad. If you are a compassionate person, it's virtually impossible for you not to feel something when you hear about these heartbreaking stories. But the world is teeming with heartbreak, and filling your brain with mementos of these travesties can eventually wreak havoc on your psyche.

Here's the Catch-22: watching the news keeps us informed about what's going on in the world. We need to know more than just what the traffic and weather will be like in the morning. So how do you know what information to filter out? And furthermore, can you really strike a healthy balance?

Diversify Your Sources

In a perfect world, every news station will provide the same information without the slightest bias. But the truth is that our personal human interests will always find a way to slightly color the truth. Judges and juries must entertain both sides of the cases they try. As such, it's always a good idea to hear as many sides of one story as you possibly can. Switch channels to get more than one slant. Just make sure to check out only a tidbit of each source. Anything more, and you will be defeating the purpose.

Keep It Local for a While

There's just too much stuff going on in this great big world. It might help if you keep things local for a little while to avoid beating up your brain with lots of details. It is highly likely that the most important national stories will somehow sneak their way into your local news anyway.

Follow Only One or Two Stories at a Time.

If you find that you are hooked on international intrigue, it might help if you follow just one or two stories at a time. Die-hard news junkies will probably have a really tough time with this piece of advice. But keeping up with too many news stories quickly boggles the brain.

Pay Attention to Your Needs

Most people will agree that the news feeds on fear. Certainly, there are tons of dangers out there, especially related to healthcare and food consumption. But for the most part, 90% of the food that you buy is pretty safe to eat. And even though there are a few legitimate scares, most will agree that you can't go wrong with natural foods prepared in the traditional ways. Ultimately, watching too much news can leave you feeling confused about what products to buy or what foods to consume. Use common sense about diet and exercise. Your instincts are usually your most reliable resource when it comes to what's best for your mind and body.

Get out of the house and do something.

Ask your nearest news junkie when the last time he or she went out and did something fun - and they'll probably have a hard time supplying you with an answer. This is because following the news can rapidly become an obsession - so much so, that the outside world becomes a scary place instead of one filled with adventure and excitement. The best way to conquer a news-watching addiction is to simply get out and do something - preferably something that is productive, makes you feel good, or helps someone else in the world.

SOURCES:

www.abcnews.go.com
www.MSNBC.com
www.CNN.com
www.psychologytoday.com