It seems that I can't open my phone without getting a notification from my News app. I can't open Facebook and not see an article with the latest tragic headline. God forbid I turn on the television to watch the news, because that never ends well. A frequent conversation I keep having among my friends and family is the issue of staying informed, but not being able to take in all of the horrifying images, countless arguments, and quite frankly, depressing stories. How do you ignore it but still stay informed? Below, I've put together a list of ways to stay informed that hopefully weed out as much of the bad as possible.
Podcasts
NPR Politics podcast
Rebecca Snyder
Podcasts are a great way to get the news in a condensed format. Luckily there are a bunch of different types of podcasts, so you can try a few out and see which works best for you. Some popular ones that I enjoy or have been recommended to me include: NPR Up First, The Daily, The Political Gabfest, and NPR Politics.
Turn off notifications
Youtube
Turn off your News app notifications on your phone. While it's great to know what the breaking news is in an instant, it isn't necessary. Designate a specific time of day that you sit down and catch up on what you want to catch up on.
Take days off
Rebecca Snyder
Chances are if you're listening to the news every day you're hearing repeats of stories rather than breaking news. Give yourself a break. You can still be informed even by taking two or three days a week away from the news. Self-care is key and it isn't healthy to subject yourself to hearing about all of the tragedies of the world 24/7.
Stay away from TV
Youtube
Stay away from televised news as much as possible. I've heard a lot of friends talk about how they have stopped getting their news from TV and are sticking to written articles or podcasts. Doing this can help weed out the hateful and divisive arguments that seem to be flooding the majority of cable news these days.
Take action
If what you are seeing on the news is upsetting you, do something about it. Call your senators and speak to your representatives. If there is anything I have learned in the past few years it is that my voice matters and my vote matters. Every little bit helps, and you can do your part by something as simple as picking up your phone. Don't know who your senators or representatives are? This link will help you find that information.
Just listen
Brendan Church
Some people I have talked to say that they would rather have all of the information and deal with the harshness of it all. It may be overwhelming but at least they are informed. There may be days you want to do just that. If that is your cup of tea, by all means, rock on.
Talk about it
Boston Pride
Rebecca Snyder
I have found it crucial to talk to my friends and family about what is going on in the world. It's easy for me to feel overwhelmed and like I don't know what I'm talking about, but when I talk to others I realize I am not the only one who feels that way. What's the best way to stay informed? Ask questions. And who better to ask questions of than your closest friends, family, or mentors. You can learn a lot about your personal beliefs by having open conversations with people you know and trust.
