Information Overload

These days it seems like every time you unlock your phone or turn on your TV, there is a new headline that wasn’t there an hour ago. Some of it’s great, and some of it’s…well not so great. Being exposed to a constant stream of new information can be pretty overwhelming, and since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, it seems the amount of information has been kicked into overdrive.

It is not unusual that as of June 2020, 45% of people had reported their mental health was affected by the pandemic -it could be because of isolation, the economy, work, or the disease itself, you name it. But a lesser talked about aspect that can lead to these feelings of anxiety is this idea of information overload. 

Do you ever feel exhausted or burnt out after watching a news segment? Or find yourself dreading opening up that notification you got from your news app? Information overload is linked to these feelings of helplessness and mental fatigue. Our brains are working overtime trying to process all of the information we are exposed to.

But, even though we can’t control the amount of information that is produced every day, we can control the amount we consume. Here are a few helpful tips on how to reduce your news intake.

Schedule a Time to Check the News

It’s no secret that the news is pretty much accessible 24/7, no matter where you are in the world. And while this can be helpful for some, it can also be extremely overwhelming for others (I definitely fall into this category!).

A great way to reduce some of this stress is to pick a time of day and an amount of time to catch up on the daily news. Say the time that works best for you is right after dinner - set a timer for however long you choose and when the alarm goes off, turn off the TV, put down the newspaper, or close the app. Whatever you miss for the rest of the day will be there tomorrow.

If you are already having a stressful day otherwise and don’t want to make it worse, skip it that day. You may notice a huge difference.

Be Cautious When Checking Social Media

Going on Twitter or Instagram is not just for keeping up with friends or following your favourite celebrities anymore - it also acts as a news source. In recent years, I have noticed a great deal of information being shared on these platforms and it’s a great way to stay informed! However, sometimes you are not prepared to learn about what happened in the world that day.

Similar to your direct news consumption, try to limit the amount of time you spend on social media. Pick a time of day and amount of time that works best for you, and try to be intentional about what you want to see. 

Turn Off Notifications

I don’t know about you but I am guilty of checking my phone pretty much every time it lights up or makes a sound. Notifications can be helpful for things like text messages or phone calls, but when it comes to news or social media apps, it can be quite overwhelming.

Notifications like this give us information when we are not expecting it or even looking for it which can be stressful. I recently went through all of the apps on my phone and turned off notifications for things that I didn’t deem essential. I’ve already noticed a big difference in how I react to new information. Give it a try and see if it helps!

Avoid Your Phone Before Bed

Now this is something I definitely struggle with. It seems right before bed is when I get the sudden urge to scroll through all of my social media and watch lots of Netflix. Even though it’s fun at the time, it definitely becomes difficult when I’m trying to fall asleep and can’t.

We know the light from our phones and tablets is not great for us when we are trying to wind down. But also, seeing anxiety-provoking news articles or even messages from friends and family can make it even harder to relax. Try to avoid your phone for at least 30 minutes before going to bed. As that becomes easier, you can increase the amount of time and hopefully see even more improvement when it comes to your sleep and anxiety levels.

Ever since the start of the pandemic, it seems like there is no escaping new information. And while this may be necessary and helpful to some, it is completely okay to feel overwhelmed by it all! If you feel like you are getting lost among all this new information and don’t know how to deal with it, maybe try out one or two of these tips. You could notice a major difference in so many aspects of your life! 

References:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/denying-the-grave/202006/is-information-overload-hurting-mental-health