I’ve been hearing it from my clients, from my friends, from my family and from virtually every channel on my screen. Virtually everyone has been exposed to it, but no one has yet to call it a public health crisis. And it already has a name with which we’re all familiar. When the right professionals are asked, they will recommend ways to address this pandemic like getting sufficient sleep, engaging in more exercise, shoring up your connections with friends and relatives, meditating, watching a fun movie or reading a good book.
This scourge is the 24-hour news cycle. Not that we should avoid being well-informed so that we can be prepared for the concomitant rise of dumpsters full of disinformation, but it’s taking a toll on us all. Clients call me for counsel, because I am an LCPC. My prescription is simple.
Titrate your dose…manage the amount of stressful information that you take in. It doesn’t mean you don’t care, but it does mean that you value your own metal health. Prolonged exposure to the news sources creates stress and potentially feelings of helplessness and ultimately depression. We don’t need a vaccine for this pandemic, but we do have to embrace the cure.
Other professionals whom I respect make this a bit more granular when they talk about titrating our dose:
- Set a time limit on news
- ALSO set a limit on social media
- Create boundaries about when and how often you follow these
- Learn to just switch off the source when you feel your anxiety rise
- In quiet moments sort out why certain news affects you adversely
- Plan “no news” times for dinner or games or listening to music.
The list can go on as you look for creative ways to escape what can be almost a cycle of addiction. Talk with your partner about what can be “your time” instead of news time. It can be your new groove, and it can help your relationship grow even stronger. Take time for fun. Give yourself permission to just enjoy. You’ll still come back to pressing world issues to give your support, but it will be from a much better place that you have created for yourself.
Isn’t this picture a nice bit of therapy and a reminder of the beauty of fall…
Charlotte Bishop is an Aging Life Care Advisor, Geriatric Care Manager and founder of, certified professionals who are geriatric advocates, resources, counselors and friends to older adults and their families in metropolitan Chicago. She also is the co-author of How Do I Know You? A Caregiver’s Lifesaver for Dealing with Dementia.
