Breaking News
Dollars exceeded three hundred. The stock exchange crashed. The country is on the brink of default. The popular leader was arrested. Terrorists detonated a suicide bomb in a crowded market. Human organs were scattered. Glaciers melted due to global warming, causing earthquakes and flood ravages.
Sensationalized Media
Have you ever thought how our lives are full of fear, desperation, and sensationalized news day and night, and how the media owners, whether they belong to the print media or not, are ruining our mental health? Or how the electronic media is always in the niche of such negative news? Presenting even ordinary information as thrilling news now sells well. Because of 24/7 news alerts, the channels also get good ratings. However, social media has done the trick, where everyone is on the same page on sensitive topics like gender, culture, politics, society, and religion. Videos of ordinary and small incidents are also becoming viral and trending.
The Impact of Negative News
It is true that it is important to be aware of domestic and international situations and events, and thanks to analysis on the media, we are well informed. But in this rush of headlines and breaking news, one feels that they will miss something important if they do not follow the news. Experts have attributed many current mental illnesses to negative news in the light of various survey reports, because subconsciously, this activity leads to addiction. For example, if a person reads the news that there will be a shortage of water in the country due to less rain this year, their attention will be diverted elsewhere, but they may become depressed, making them prone to mood disorders.
Society’s Reflection
Daily processions, protests, strikes, robberies, and social injustices around us reflect our own society, but their more exposure leads to despair and hopelessness, making people hate their society and lose the desire to move forward and live. This loss of hope is the driving force to face the difficulties in life. People may start thinking of themselves as incompetent. Thus, collectively, the entire society suffers from mental disorder and depression. Negative factors cause the release of stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline, and the affected individual gradually suffers from many mental illnesses, including mental anxiety, stress, and depression. Modern research has coined new terms to describe the negative effects of negative news, such as doomscrolling and headline anxiety. Excessive exposure to negative news and events has been linked to depression and anxiety.
The Role of Belief Systems
The basic nature of humans is to accept good things. Our belief system is formed because of our observation, hearing, and reading what others say. Whenever we hear or see something new, this belief system updates with this information. The Inferior Frontal Gyrus (IFG) of our brain monitors this update and filters out negative news. Because of this, 80 to 90 percent of people have an optimistic bias about themselves and those around them. Just like no one thinks of themselves as having cancer and accidents. But hearing too much negative talk creates fear in us, and this fear can affect the IFG part. As a result, a person may start seeing things only in a negative way.
Overcoming Negative Thinking
It is up to us to see the positive aspects of situations and events when there is so much positive in life. Addiction has direct effects on mental health, making the sufferer feel like the world is a scary place full of problems. The effects of negative communication lead to restlessness, anxiety, despair, hopelessness, mental stress, sadness, anxiety, helplessness, and insomnia.
If you have developed negative thinking, it can certainly be changed. To get rid of these problems, it is inevitable to take practical steps with strong willpower. Every addiction takes time to change. Cut down on screen time to break the habit of doomscrolling or too much negative news. Gradually limit exposure to news. Use a balanced channel or news website. Consult a psychiatrist. Schedule walks, light exercise, and cell-free time. Get engrossed in reading books, meditation, creative, and charitable works. Instead of talking about politics, country conditions, and the economy, adopt the habit of discussing useful topics.