News Consumption…A Disney Analogy of Why I’m Largely Against it
As a therapist, I often encounter clients who are overwhelmed by the constant barrage of news in our daily lives. In a world where media is largely driven by capitalist motives, it's important to understand how this affects the content we consume and, subsequently, our mental health. The prevalence of negative news can have profound psychological impacts, and it's crucial to be aware of these effects and learn how to navigate the media landscape more mindfully.
The underlying principle of most news outlets in America is profitability, news capitalizes on fear, largely, and of course this means the news is biased for profit. In this pursuit, news organizations often focus on stories that elicit strong emotional responses, particularly fear. Fear is a powerful motivator; it grabs attention, drives viewership, and, in turn, generates revenue. Fear and stress (Cortisol) are not only hard on the body, but also have significant impacts on one’s mental health and outlook.
I was talking with a client about their news consumption in a session recently. They were discussing that some of the skills and reframes we have been working on have been helpful; they shared that they also believed these skills will be helpful as the election is coming up and news about it is already beginning. This is when I encouraged them (as I do nearly all of my clients who bring this topic up in therapy), to watch/consume less news and went into all the reasons that am laying out in this blog now.
I then made a comparison that I had never considered before. News reports sell based off of fear, much like in the Monster’s Inc. movie. If you have never seen it, in the Monster’s universe, monsters scare human kids in order to get energy for their world. However, by the end of the movie, the monsters discover that making the human kids laugh produces far more energy for their world than scaring ever did. So, they switch to laughing tactics from then on.
My client joked that I might have a thesis paper on my hands, but instead I’m writing about it here, in my blog.
I do want to highlight some of the negatives that I see in news consumption.
Excessive exposure to negative news can lead to a range of adverse psychological effects.
This includes:
Increased Anxiety and Stress: Constantly hearing about disasters, crimes, and crises can heighten feelings of anxiety and contribute to a sense of helplessness and despair.
Worldview Distortion: An overemphasis on negative events can skew our perception of reality, leading us to believe the world is more dangerous than it actually is.
Emotional Exhaustion: Continuous exposure to fear-inducing stories can result in compassion fatigue, leaving individuals feeling emotionally drained and desensitized.
Sleep Disturbances: The stress and anxiety from consuming negative news, especially before bed, can disrupt sleep patterns and overall wellbeing.
Just like in 'Monsters, Inc.,' where the transition from scare tactics to humor brought about a positive change, we too can benefit from a more balanced intake of news. This doesn't mean turning a blind eye to the challenges in our world, nor am I suggesting we be uninformed completely, but rather I challenge you to integrate positive news into your media diet, as well; while maybe also lessening your viewing/consumption of news from popular news outlets.
To counterbalance the negativity, I encourage readers to actively seek out positive news sources. Platforms like @goodnews_movement and @globalpositivenews on social media (Instagram) are excellent starting points. They focus on uplifting stories, acts of kindness, and positive developments from around the world. Engaging with such content can provide a more rounded perspective, uplift spirits, and restore faith in humanity.
While we can't entirely escape the influence of the news media, we can choose how we engage with it. By being mindful of the content we consume and seeking out positive news sources, we can protect our mental health and maintain a more balanced and optimistic outlook on life. Remember, like the monsters in 'Monsters, Inc.,' we have the power to shift our focus from fear to positivity, one news story at a time.
Are you aware of any of the good things going on globally?
