As slow travelers who prioritize minimalism, slow living, and mindful spending, we understand the importance of being intentional about the information we consume. One aspect of our intentional lifestyle is that we personally never check the news.
In this blog post, we will explain why we think daily news consumption is probably bad for your mental health and share a few practical tips on how to be intentional about the news we consume.
What is the problem with the news
While this may seem extreme to some, did you know that eliminating daily news consumption can have a profoundly positive impact on our wellbeing? In fact, a growing body of research indicates that constant exposure to negative news can have negative effects on our mood, stress levels, and overall mental health.
Research has shown that reading negative news stories can lead to increased levels of anxiety and negative mood compared to reading positive news stories. Additionally, studies suggest that individuals who watch negative news in the morning may have a higher likelihood of reporting an unhappy day compared to those who watch positive news or no news at all.
Furthermore, constant news consumption can contribute to feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. As we’re bombarded with news about wars, natural disasters, and other crises, we may feel that the problems of the world are too big for us to solve or that the world is an inherently dangerous and negative place. This can lead to a sense of despair and disengagement, which can further impact our mental health and wellbeing.
In addition to the negative effects on our mental health, consuming news on a daily basis can also take a toll on our physical health. Studies have found that exposure to negative news can increase levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can contribute to a range of health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes.
For nearly five years, we have been traveling the world without bothering to consume any news, and surprisingly, we didn’t feel like we were missing out on anything. Even when I occasionally log in to social media to update our followers about our lifestyle and travels, I try my best to avoid scrolling through my feed. At most, I only check direct messages from people, and then I’m done! Whenever I do find myself scrolling, I notice that I could easily waste precious time catching up with strangers’ lives, their interests, and products that don’t pique my interest. Moreover, we discovered that our close friends and family, whom we stay in touch with, are the ones who inform us about important events or news.
How can we be more intentional with the news
So, while staying informed can be important, constant news consumption can have significant negative effects on our wellbeing. The good news is that there are ways to be intentional about the information we consume.
Here are some practical tips:
- Limit news consumption: Instead of checking the news multiple times a day, try checking it once a day or a few times a week. This can help reduce the negative impact of constant news exposure.
- Choose positive news sources: If you must check the news, seek out news sources that prioritize positive news and solutions-oriented reporting. This can help balance out the negative news that dominates traditional news sources.
- Practice mindfulness: When you do consume news, practice mindfulness by being present and aware of your emotions. This can help prevent the news from triggering feelings of anxiety or despair.
- Engage in self-care: Take care of yourself by engaging in activities that promote relaxation, such as meditation, yoga, or spending time in nature. Check
For mindfulness and meditation you can check our slow travel morning routine #2: Meditation, daily exercise for your mind
Here are some useful ressources:
If you want positive news to start your day (we still don’t check these often), you can check the following websites:
- Positive News – This UK-based publication focuses on news that is inspiring, empowering, and solutions-oriented. They cover stories from around the world on topics like sustainability, social justice, and culture. https://www.positive.news/
- The Optimist Daily – This website delivers positive news in the form of a daily email newsletter. Their stories are curated from around the world and are designed to inspire and uplift. https://www.optimistdaily.com/
If your preferer Instagram, check out these accounts:
- @positivenewsuk – This Instagram page is the official account of Positive News UK https://www.instagram.com/positivenewsuk/
- @tanksgoodnews – This Instagram page shares heartwarming and inspiring news stories and videos that will lift your spirits. They feature stories on animals, kids, and everyday heroes. https://www.instagram.com/tanksgoodnews/
Ultimately, we believe that the time we spend consuming news could be better spent on other pursuits, such as engaging in creative hobbies or building relationships with loved ones. By intentionally limiting our news consumption and prioritizing our own wellbeing, we can live happier, more fulfilling lives.
Our bottom line
While we personally choose not to check the news, research suggests that daily news consumption can have negative effects on our mood, stress levels, and overall mental and physical health. By being intentional about the information we consume and prioritizing our own wellbeing, we can live happier, more fulfilling lives. By implementing practical tips such as limiting news consumption, choosing positive news sources, practicing mindfulness, and engaging in self-care, we can mitigate the negative effects of news consumption and live more intentionally.
We’d love to hear from you! How much news do you consume every day? Do you feel yourself getting lost scrolling on your phone for hours? Are you aware of such behavior if they are related to you? What other techniques you might have to keep a positive outlook in life and be happy? Let us know by leaving a comment in the comments section below! Your insights and experiences might just inspire others to take a step towards a more intentional and positive lifestyle.
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