For most of us, we are stuck inside more than we ever have been. Our human nature is to gather together for support in times of trouble or stress. The circumstances right now prevent that comfort-seeking. So, this forced isolation drives our curious tendency to see what is happening “out there.” Our thinking is, we can somehow gain control of our feelings by getting “well informed.” There is the thought that if we are armed with the facts we will feel more at ease about the real or imagined dangers.
I’m currently sheltering in place with a news junkie. I love my mother and I know she can’t help herself…it’s a compulsion. So, I find myself consuming a bit more content than I normally would. It is not her fault – it’s easy to slide to the dark side. Having overcome addictions and compulsions in other areas, I have total compassion.
I have found that watching the 5-minute “teaser” at the beginning of a news program gives me enough details and general tenor of the news day. This keeps me well enough informed without taking me down the depression rabbit hole. Just that 5 minutes, and what I experience in my outer world, and catching up with family and friends, is enough to drive my dreams into vivid craziness. We are all trying to process the global stresses mentally and in our dream states.
What used to be our normal consumption of news, cannot be our normal consumption in pandemic times. The news by its very sensationalistic nature, tells us in big ways, what is not working. This is how they keep us watching. Like any cliffhanger, we keep checking back the next day to see if it’s been solved. The problem is not what is in the news but what we do with it, with our magical magnifying imagining minds.
One way to tell if you are being strongly affected is to check in with your body and your psyche. Are you depressed? Have physical aches and pains? Or increased physical illnesses? Your body/psyche is telling you when outer stressors are affecting your health. What we take in and entertain in our minds, affects our mental and physical Well Being. Reducing your intake is not hiding from world events. Its troubles will be there ready to pick up tomorrow.
Centered Action:
Our mental Well Being is as important as our physical and spiritual Well Being. We need to nourish it with good content just like we nourish our bodies with healthy foods. Today be mindful and gentle about what you are feeding your mind.