Balancing your news diet
People around the world are running from the news.
Why it matters: Coverage of these painful times is ruining our mood, burning us out and just plain confusing us.
Those are the findings of a grim new report from Reuters Institute and the University of Oxford about “selective news avoidance.”
- But better-informed citizens can help leaders make better decisions and are more empathetic toward people who live very different lives.
What’s happening: With the pandemic, a fractured Washington and the war in Ukraine, we’ve had more than two years of distressing, divisive news.
- Past studies have shown constant bad news can give us PTSD-like symptoms.
- Plus journalists often do a lousy job: The “Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2022” says many younger people “say they avoid news because it can be hard to follow or understand.”
The result: News trust in the U.S. is the lowest among the 46 countries polled for the report — at 26% (tied with Slovakia).
- The world average: 42%.
Between the lines: The mistake we make is marinating in topics that are sure to make us gloomy and grumpy.
- One of the reasons you Finish Line readers are so engaged and responsive is we bring in the orchestra of healthier topics — fitness, leadership and society-changing technologies.
Here are some tips for keeping up without burning out:
- Find sources you trust — and stick to them. Quit getting your news on endless social feeds, which can be littered with misinformation.
- Set a routine.Don’t spend all day scrolling and stewing. Catch up at certain times of day and — shameless plug — make an appointment with a few newsletters.
- Remember that most of the worldis normal. For every bad or sad story, there are lots of uplifting ones that get lots less attention.
- Take real breaks.Literally, turn off your device now and then: The mere presence of a lit screen can make us jumpy.
- Go deeper. Dig into topics you truly care about and want to learn more about. Find a smart podcast … follow magazine writers you trust … spend more time with documentaries. The truth is there’s more enlightening information handy than ever before — if you can focus and find it.
Πηγή: axios.com
