on October 26, 2021
When you turn on the TV or read a news article, what do you see? How do you feel? More than likely, you’re exposed to a flurry of negative headlines and end up feeling sad, hopeless, or angry. You begin to wonder if there’s any good left in the world at all. And something else happens: The “fear” portion of your brain is activated.
The oldest functions of our brains (sometimes referred to as our “reptilian brains”) are mainly controlled by the amygdala. This primitive part of the brain governs emotions and causes us to react almost automatically. If we perceive a threat, we might run away (Oh no, a saber-toothed tiger!) or stand and fight (My campfire has escaped the firepit, I have to put it out!). This “fight or flight” instinct is what has kept humans alive for thousands of years.
Other parts of the brain developed more fully in later years, including the frontal lobe. This part of the brain is in charge of complex thinking and reasoning. It allows us to weigh options, assess a situation, call upon our memories, or plan for the future. It is the reasonable, analytical part of the brain.
With so much sensationalized news, hype, and a culture of fear, it is becoming increasingly difficult to tap into the frontal lobe and think things through logically. Instead, it’s much easier to fall back on our primitive brains and become engulfed in the ever-present fear and anxiety. And this is not entirely our faults! It’s difficult to step away from the constant barrage of bad news. I believe, however, that it is necessary to do so.
Instead of tuning in, start to tune out. That doesn’t mean you should ignore the news entirely; it means you should dial down your exposure to it. The news cycle is now 24/7, but you do NOT have to tune in constantly. Instead, make an effort to only check the headlines once a day (or less, if you can!), get the highlights, and move on. It’s also a good idea to tune in to news that is less sensationalist and more fact-driven.
If you find yourself tuning in to cable news or “doom scrolling” on social media, stop! Put down your remote control or your phone and walk away. Do something meaningful instead, like cooking a meal from scratch, taking a walk, reading a book, or talking with your family. By engaging in another activity, you’ll divert your attention from the doom and gloom of the news cycle.
Remember: bad news sells! Things are not nearly as bad as the news media would like you to think they are. So keep your chin up, click off the news, and engage in activities that are good for your mental health. Gain control of your emotion-driven amygdala and let your frontal lobe take the reins. Life is better when we aren’t governed by fear.