Should we limit watching the news?

​​We’re bombarded with negative information through the Internet, news channels, and other mediums. Constantly consuming negative reporting from the web and the news can have an adverse effect on how we view life and ourselves. Politics, crime, and world disasters are playing on a constant loop in the news and social media timelines, which can contribute to feeling a level of despair. Anyone can easily begin to feel hopeless if personal safeguards aren’t put in place. We all want to be aware of what’s going on in the world, but we have to place personal limitations on the types of information we’re paying attention to. We want to ensure we’re consuming more positive information than the negative stuff.
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How can we bring some balance, so that we stay abreast of current world affairs, but guard our hearts and minds at the same time?
 
1. Place limits on how much news you watch. I know, I know...we want to stay glued to our monitors to keep up with what’s going to happen next in the White House and on the streets of major cities, while keeping up with other pressing issues that we’re all concerned about. But you can still remain well informed by limiting the number of days a week you watch the news. For instance, what would happen if you decided to watch the news (including news headlines on social media timelines) only two days a week for 30 minutes at a time? Imagine the difference it would make in your overall joy.
 
2. Nurture your soul. Nourishing our spirits through daily ​prayer can help make the shift from feeling hopeless to optimistic. Prayer helps to clear your mind, it creates internal peace, and it decreases stress. “Guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23).
 
3. Elevate your mind. Listen to inspiring and uplifting information in the form of personal development/motivational messages that are offered as podcasts, videos, seminars, music, and books. There are many encouraging messages that you can easily pull up on YouTube. Here’s a fantastic video with Michael Hyatt, Michele Cushatt, and Lewis Howes. It can help shift your mind to a more optimistic view of life. The message discussed in the video is not directly related to this topic, but it’s an example of how you can get a quick dose of elevating material at the tips of your fingers.
 
Balance is always the key to life. I believe in staying up-to-date on local and world affairs. However, protecting our hearts is essential to maintaining our joy. Stay informed, but place limits so that it’s not at the expense of your peace of mind.

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