when the news becomes too much

As we close out Mental Health Awareness Month, I found it fitting to address the importance of taking care of our mental health while living through traumatic news events. With the recent mass shootings in Buffalo and Texas, it is very likely that you may have been triggered and struggling to care for yourself while consuming so much gut-wrenching information from the media. These events are not only anxiety provoking but can also lead us down a road of oversaturation and worry as we think of those involved as well as our own fears not only for ourselves, but also our loved ones. Here are a few self-care tips for when the news just becomes too much for us mentally:

Find Support

            Whether it is a friend, family, or therapist, it is very essential to find a safe space where you can express yourself and process feelings that may come up when traumatic events hit the news. Having a supportive community is extremely beneficial to our mental health and overall relationships. 

Manage your Social Media Consumption

            When bad news emerges, it’s so tempting to want to stay connected and up to date on what’s occurring but it’s important that you give yourself a break. This can be done by limiting your time on social media to avoid overconsumption and flooding yourself with information that may take a toll on your overall mental health. 

Practice Self-Care

            Make sure that you are balancing your consumption of the news with self-care activities to reduce the risk of news overload. Taking a walk, journaling, watching your favorite tv show, or trying something new, are a few examples of self-care activities that can be helpful when you need to detach and take time for yourself. 

Let us keep all of those affected by these horrific events in our thoughts and prayers and remember to take care of ourselves during this time.

For additional support, please contact your CURA therapist.