We’ve all been there: We slide into our social media or news feeds and significant chunks of time pass by without realizing it. Having a device that offers instant worldwide communication is undoubtedly helpful—if not essential—for work, but it can also connect us to content that can leave us feeling sad, angry or stressed.
Mental health researchers studying how we are affected by the media we consume are urging us to think about not only the amount of time we are spending but the tenor of the content. It is easy to fall into the habit of “doomscrolling”—rafting along on unending streams of bad news. This material can trigger a sense of unease or increase our threat perception—essentially activating our brains’ “fight or flight” responses and releasing higher levels of cortisol and epinephrine in the bloodstream. These hormones, in turn, can contribute to fatigue, loss of sleep, high blood pressure, anxiety and depression.
Clearly, health experts know that staying informed about news topics isn’t going to make you keel over, but they think it’s important to balance negative inputs with positive content. In fact, some studies have shown that consuming uplifting and positive media can help motivate us to do good things for friends, family and ourselves.
Here are a few content options that can help you feel less stressed:
1. Stoke your sense of humor
Find and follow your favorite comedians, comedy podcasts or networks to get a few laughs in. The Mayo Clinic cites the many physiological benefits of laughter, including the release of feel-good hormones and muscle relaxation in the short term, plus reducing pain, improving mood and boosting your immune system.
2. Start or expand a hobby
It’s probably no surprise to hear that YouTube has countless videos that feature crafting and creativity. It is possible to teach yourself how to knit, refinish furniture, paint in watercolors, cook exotic dishes or build a shed. You don’t even have to start a project to enjoy taking a deeper dive into something that already interests you.
3. Mindfulness and meditation
If you are interested in becoming more centered, apps such as Calm or Headspace can help you focus, relax and de-stress. You can even derive benefits from listening to mindfulness podcasts, such as “10% Happier, Mindfulness Mode” or the “Drop-In Meditations (Hammer Podcast)” from the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center.
4. Silver screen time
Pick a movie with an uplifting message, like “Remember the Titans,” “The Pursuit of Happiness,” “Hidden Figures,” “Legally Blonde” or “The Princess Bride.”
5. Go for good news
There are websites and podcasts that curate positive stories that help restore one’s faith in humanity. Try these podcasts—“The Good News Podcast,” “Goodniks” or “Sounds Good”—and the Upworthy and Positive News websites.
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