There are lots of worrying stories in the news at the moment. It’s a lot to take in, and the amount of negative news that we’re watching, reading, and hearing can feel overwhelming.
If you’re feeling worried, stressed, or struggling to sleep, you’re not alone.
Looking after your mental health
While you might like to stay well-informed, it’s also important to take care of your wellbeing. There are lots of ways you can take care of your mental health when the news feels worrying.
1. Be mindful of how much news you are consuming
- You could limit the amount of time you spend watching or reading the news to once a day.
- Turn off or mute news notifications on your phone to stop news disruptions. You could also mute or unfollow social media accounts that you find unhelpful to your mental health.
- Try not to read or watch the news just before you go to bed.
2. Try not to worry too much about the things you can’t change.
- If you’re feeling overwhelmed, group your worries into things you can control, and things you can’t. That way, you can focus on the problems that you can do something to change.
- Get involved with your community in a meaningful way. You might not be able to solve global conflict, but you can offer support to people in your local community.
- You can make a difference. Whether you’re signing a petition, or taking part in a peaceful protest, you can take small actions that make a difference.
3. Talk to your friends and family
- If you’re feeling low, stressed, or anxious, let your friends and family know so they’re able to support you.
4. Take care of yourself
- Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep.
- Spend quality time with your loved ones.
- Make time to do the things that you enjoy, such as reading a good book, playing sports with friends, gardening, spending time in nature, or cooking your favourite meal.
Get more support
If you feel like you’re struggling, it’s really important that you get the right support.
We offer free NHS talking therapies that can help you feel like yourself again. Find out more and get started here.