On Friday evening my husband and I sat down to watch PBS News Hour after a long week. By the time it was over, we sat looking at each in stunned silence — so much bad news! So many tragedies unfolding around the world that it left us sad, and feeling hopeless. You sit there with these images, knowing there is absolutely nothing you can personally do to offset the situation in Libya, Syria, Yemen, Bahrain, or Japan. There’s not even much you can do besides vote to impact education, economic reform or rising prices in the U.S.
I’m all for being informed about the facts, but when does taking a break from catastrophic news become okay. Does it mean I’m less engaged or sympathetic if I choose not to take in daily stories, visuals and editorials about people’s suffering?
I ask this mainly because wellness is as much a state of mind as it is a physical state. There are numerous published medical journals touting the benefits of laughter, positive thinking and hopefulness as a way to encourage well-being, and also healing. But really, how can you maintain that state of mind when you’ve just read the daily newspaper? Or spent an evening talking about the dire straits of the world.
I think I need to take a break from media channels. At least until I find my equilibrium again. After all, I can’t afford to get sick.
