November - The News 2024
🐰🐰 Curating Your News Feed to Promote Good Mental Health in Challenging Times
"If people in the media cannot decide whether they are in the business of reporting news or manufacturing propaganda, it is all the more important that the public understand that difference, and choose their news sources accordingly."― Thomas Sowell
The only constant is change...
In a world where news is available 24/7, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by a constant stream of updates—especially when many stories are sensationalized or distressing. Curating a thoughtful, balanced news feed can make a difference, not just in what we learn but in how we feel. By managing our news consumption with intention, we can stay informed while protecting our mental well-being. Here’s how to curate a healthier news feed and reduce stress from sensationalized content, and gain mental health benefits along the way.
Be Mindful of News Consumption on Social Media
Social media platforms like X (Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram are increasingly common sources for breaking news and trending stories, but they often amplify sensationalism and unverified information. Since social media algorithms tend to prioritize content that drives engagement—often emotional or controversial posts—news on these platforms can feel more dramatic and intense. To create a healthier experience, consider following only trusted news outlets on social media, limiting time spent on news-related scrolling, or even muting certain words or topics that trigger stress.
Benefit to Mental Health: By curating our social media experience, we can minimize exposure to sensationalized or distressing news, reducing anxiety and promoting a more balanced mindset. This approach ensures that social media becomes a more positive space, rather than a constant source of stress.
Identify Trusted News Sources to Build a Stable Information Base
A reliable news feed starts with trusted sources that provide balanced, fact-based reporting. When we’re receiving information you can trust, we’re less likely to feel the stress or anxiety that can come from worrying whether what we’re reading is accurate or exaggerated. Scroll to the end of this blog post for some recommendations.
Benefit to Mental Health: Reducing sensationalized content and focusing on reliable sources can minimize feelings of panic or distrust, helping us to approach the news with a calmer, more grounded mindset.
Use News Aggregators with a Customized Approach
News aggregators let us personalize our feed, choosing which topics, outlets, and types of articles we want to see. By balancing news categories—such as current events, health, arts, and personal interests—we’re less likely to be overwhelmed by a single topic and can create a feed that reflects our genuine interests.
Selecting topics based on our personal values and comfort level is key. If political news is particularly stressful, consider limiting it to one or two trusted sources that provide straightforward reporting. On the other hand, if we are inspired by wellness or scientific discoveries, we can allow more of those stories to take up space in our feed.
Benefit to Mental Health: A balanced feed helps us maintain a well-rounded perspective on the world, reducing stress and promoting a sense of control over what we consume. By engaging with news that aligns with our interests and values, we’re less likely to feel drained or overwhelmed.
Limit Clickbait and Overly Opinionated Content
Clickbait articles, with their dramatic or alarmist headlines, are designed to catch our eye—but they often leave readers feeling misled or unnecessarily stressed. By sticking to sources that prioritize clear, informative headlines, we’ll be less likely to be drawn into an emotional cycle of worry.
Similarly, limiting sources that lean heavily on opinion or editorial content, especially those that use sensationalized, emotionally charged language, can keep our news feeds less intense. While opinion pieces can be valuable for perspective, too many may skew our views and require fact checking.
Benefit to Mental Health: Avoiding emotionally manipulative headlines and highly opinionated content can lead to a more stable, calm response to news, helping us process events rationally without added stress or anxiety.
Try Weekly or Biweekly News Summaries
If checking the news daily feels overwhelming, consider opting for a weekly or biweekly recap from a trusted source. News outlets often offer email newsletters or podcast summaries that recap the week’s top stories. This way, we’re not inundated by every minor update and can catch up on what’s important without the stress of constant alerts.
Benefit to Mental Health: Limiting news intake to a few times a week can reduce anxiety and promote a sense of distance from daily events, allowing us to focus on what matters most without being constantly on edge.
Set Boundaries Around News Consumption
A well-curated feed is only effective if we manage how often we interact with it. Turning off notifications for non-essential updates or limiting our news checks to certain times can help prevent “doomscrolling”—the habit of continuously scrolling through distressing news.
Setting specific times for news check-ins, such as morning and evening, or even limiting it to every few days, can provide more control over our day and protect our mental space.
Benefit to Mental Health: Setting boundaries around news consumption reduces the likelihood of experiencing information overload, helping us maintain a balanced mental state and reduce feelings of stress or helplessness.
Allow Room for New, Balanced Sources
Our interests and needs change over time, and it’s okay to add or remove sources from our feed as we evolve. If you encounter a new outlet or journalist, take a few moments to check their credibility before adding them to your rotation. Curating our feed with fresh but balanced perspectives can add value without creating information overload.
Benefit to Mental Health: Staying open to new perspectives (while ensuring credibility) can help us feel more connected to diverse viewpoints without the intense stress of misinformation or alarmist media.
The Benefits of a Curated News Feed for Mental Well-Being
A well-managed news feed can foster a healthier relationship with information, promoting a sense of calm and control rather than anxiety and distress. When we take the time to curate our sources, balance topics, and set boundaries on consumption of news and social media, we create a personalized feed that promotes our mental well-being. Taking these steps empowers us to stay informed without sacrificing our peace of mind, helping us engage with the world in a thoughtful, grounded way.
“The evil that men do lives on the front pages of greedy newspapers, but the good is oft interred apathetically inside.” - Brooks Atkinson
Suggestions for News Content:
What the Fuck Just Happened Today - News aggregator providing a daily, bite-sized summary of key news topics with links to reliable sources
Outlets like The New York Times, BBC, NPR, and Reuters have longstanding reputations for upholding journalistic integrity and avoiding excessive sensationalism
News aggregators: Google News, Apple News, and Flipboard
Podcasts like The Daily by The New York Times or Up First by NPR provide easy-to-digest summaries that can help us stay informed in a more relaxed way
Karen Tang, MD - Reproductive and Women’s Healthcare Educational & News Content
