Turn off notifications | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health Wellness

7 things to do when watching the news is too much

A list of helpful tools for when all you want to do is ignore—but you need to stay informed.

134
7 things to do when watching the news is too much
Youtube

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

Call Your Rep

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.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
people  in library
Photo by redcharlie on Unsplash

College involves a whirlwind of emotions, whether it’s from the stress of an assignment (or twenty), or from fighting with your roommate. It can be overwhelming at times and it’s important to take a step a back and calmly think things over. Maybe gain some perspective. The following aren’t foolproof tips and may not apply to you, but I was able to find success with them (hope you do too!)

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

How The Holidays Have Changed

It all started when we learned the truth about Santa.

2186
best wishes for Christmas
Pinterest

It is no secret that many American traditions have changed over time. As we grow older we change in so many ways that it only makes sense that we also change the way we celebrate special occasions. Of course when it comes to the holidays there are some family traditions that many of us still excitedly look forward to, whether it is eating your favorite dish or seeing favorite cousin. However, we all know that the holidays have overall changed a little from what they used to be.

Keep Reading...Show less
theatre cast

Everyone who has done musicals knows that once you go there you can never go back. It's like a virus. It never leaves and you find yourself attracted to all types of theater things. You're drawn to it like a moth to a flame. There are certain things you know to be true, whether you did a musical once or have done them your entire life.

Keep Reading...Show less
couple winter
Pexels

When you come home over Christmas break, it's hard to find fun in your hometown. During the winter, it's hard to find the motivation to go out and find things to do. However, there are plenty of fun things to do in almost any town, and there are tons of fun date ideas that aren't taken advantage of. Here are nine fun winter dates to go on.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

25 Things To Do In The 25 Days Leading Up To Christmas

The best holiday deserves an entire month of celebrating.

4330
Christmas Socks  Fireplace
Wesley Tingey

Christmas is arguably one of the most popular holidays of the year. Whether you think Christmas celebrations should be strictly reserved for December, or you're setting up your tree and lights on November 1st, Christmas time is the best time. Filling an entire month with Christmas activities seems like it could be impossible, but I am here to fix that for you. Here are twenty-five of the best things to do in the twenty-five days leading up to Christmas.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments