By Mark Schillinger, MSW, LCSW:
We live in a world where we are constantly bombarded with news and information. In the United States’ polarized political climate, the line between news and commentary is often unclear, which makes it harder to understand situations without added emotional charge. Many people describe feeling worn down by the frequency and tone of headlines and social media posts. Research supports the idea that this level of exposure has a real psychological impact.
Studies show that frequent exposure to “crisis‑based” news can strain our mental health. People who check negative headlines multiple times a day report higher levels of anxiety. Alarming news updates can activate the body’s stress response, leaving people tense, uneasy, and/or stuck in a cycle of doomscrolling. Social media intensifies this by using algorithms that push sensationalized content and then repeatedly sending you similar content to consume. Over time, this level of activation can leave people exhausted and less able to cope with stress. People may also feel helpless or convinced the world is more dangerous than it is. Staying informed is important, but constant monitoring can take a toll.
Here are suggestions for being more intentional with your news consumption:
- Limit frequency: Only check the news once or twice a day.
- Create “news windows”: Choose specific times for consuming news to prevent doomscrolling.
- Curate sources: Limit news consumption to reliable sources that clearly separate news from opinion.
- Monitor your body: Pay attention to how your body is feeling. If you notice distressing physiological sensations, pause and just notice them without judgement, then name the emotions that are generating discomfort.
- Interrupt the cycle: Close the app or turn off the news source and go for a walk or engage in a relaxing and engaging activity.
- Balance content: Pair negative news with neutral or positive material such as nature, humor, or other content you enjoy.
- Use slower formats: Podcasts and long‑form journalism reduce emotional whiplash and support clearer understanding.
- Talk it through: Discuss news content with trusted people to help process your reactions and widen your perspective.
Our nervous systems were not built for continuous exposure to global crises. With intentional habits, it’s possible to stay informed without sacrificing your mental well-being.
Resources:
Kesner L, Juríčková V, Grygarová D, Horáček J. (2025) Impact of Media-Induced Uncertainty on Mental Health: Narrative-Based PerspectiveJMIR Ment Health 2025;12:e68640URL: https://mental.jmir.org/2025/1/e68640. DOI: 10.2196/68640
Yang Y, Su F, Liu H, and Li X. (2023) The effect of mindfulness intervention on internet negative news perception and processing: An implicit and explicit approach. Front. Psychol. 14:1071078doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1071078
Dixit, K., Ashutosh, K. (2025). COLLECTIVE STRESS DURING CRISIS-BASED DOOMSCROLLING. TPM – Testing, Psychometrics, Methodology in Applied Psychology, 32(S7 (2025): Posted 10 October), 2751–2763. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18172414