If you’ve been wondering if the news is bad for your mental health, you’re not alone. According to mental health professionals, constant media consumption can cause news anxiety and actualize catchphrases such as “media saturation overload” and “doomscrolling.”
There may be a link between mental health issues and both traditional news outlets and social media. Limiting your consumption, especially of negative or distressing content, could be crucial to your well-being. Keep reading to learn how unlimited exposure to the news is bad for your mental health and when to start setting limits.
The Connection Between Media Overload and Anxiety
The 24-hour news cycle thrives on dramatic, attention-grabbing headlines, often designed to spark fear or urgency. It’s easy to stay constantly plugged into the headlines and begin feeling overwhelmed. Media overload can heighten your body’s stress response, potentially leading to chronic anxiety. The more emotionally charged or sensational the news, the stronger the impact.
In a survey of 266 therapists, 99.6% agreed that news consumption can negatively impact mental health. This reflects a growing recognition in the clinical community that news anxiety is more than a buzzword. It’s a real and worsening issue, despite not having been officially recognized as a disorder.
How Constant News Consumption Impacts Mental Health
The ability to tune into the news at any time, whether on 24-7 news outlets or social media, can impact mental health. The Psychiatric Times and the American Psychological Association both point to rising cases of anxiety and depression linked to media saturation. While staying informed is important, the psychological cost of endless news consumption shouldn’t be ignored.
Excessive news and social media exposure can impact mental health in many ways, including by:
- Activating stress responses. Watching or reading disturbing news can trigger the body’s fight-or-flight response, releasing cortisol and adrenaline. These two stress hormones can cause rapid heart rate, shallow breathing or upset stomach even if you’re not in immediate danger.
- Increasing anxiety and depression symptoms. Research shows exposure to just 14 minutes of negative news can elevate symptoms of anxiety and depression, especially when the viewer feels powerless to help.
- Encouraging doomscrolling. Repeatedly scrolling through bad news can lead to emotional numbness or heightened fear, a habit called doomscrolling or headline anxiety.
- Feeding addictive behavior. Social media platforms use clickbait headlines to keep users engaged and coming back, which can become a compulsive loop. Over 50% of adults say they rely on social media for news at least some of the time.
Benefits of Reducing Media Intake for Emotional Well-Being
Many mental health professionals confirm that the constant influx of news and social media updates often leads to increased stress and anxiety. According to the APA, psychologists have observed a rise in news-related stress, suggesting that implementing media consumption boundaries can significantly enhance mental health. Some of the benefits of reducing your media intake might surprise you.
- Reduced anxiety and depression. You may experience a notable decrease in anxiety and depression symptoms caused by even brief exposure to negative news by curbing media intake.
- Improved body image. Research suggests reducing social media usage can significantly improve how individuals perceive their overall appearance and body weight.
- Enhanced mood and well-being. Limiting daily social media use has been associated with significantly less anxiety, depression, fear of missing out and loneliness, greatly improving mood and well-being.
- Better sleep quality. Reducing media consumption, especially in the evening, may promote better sleep patterns and quality, helping improve overall health.
- Increased productivity and focus. By minimizing distractions from constant news updates and social media notifications, you may experience better concentration and productivity in daily tasks.
Setting Boundaries: Practical Tips for Limiting News Consumption
The first step is to recognize the impact the news might have on you and be mindful of how much time you spend consuming news. Setting boundaries on media consumption, such as establishing specific times for checking news, unsubscribing from nonessential notifications and engaging in offline activities, can help establish healthier media consumption habits and promote better mental health.
Other strategies to set boundaries and limit consumption include:
- Know your triggers. Identify topics that stir up anxiety or distress and limit exposure to those subjects.
- Stick to a time limit. Aim to spend no more than 30 minutes per day on news to avoid doomscrolling.
- Choose reading over watching. Reading the news tends to be less emotionally triggering than watching videos with disturbing images.
- Vet your sources. Stick with balanced, reputable news outlets that provide facts over opinion to ensure accuracy and varied perspectives.
- Schedule enjoyable activities. Follow news exposure with a calming activity such as a hobby, walk or creative outlet.
- Boost optimism. Spend time on what brings you joy, such as pets, loved ones, mindfulness or journaling.
- Channel energy into action. Join advocacy or volunteer groups tied to issues you care about to deflect feelings of helplessness.
- Join an affinity group. These groups offer support, solidarity and shared understanding, especially for marginalized identities.
What Studies Say About Media Use and Mental Health
Many studies suggest a strong link between news media consumption, particularly negative content, and increased mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and stress. Social media exposure, in particular, has been identified as a notable factor.
A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health surveyed 2,251 adults during the spring of 2020. The findings revealed that individuals who frequently sought COVID-19 information across various media sources were more likely to report emotional distress.
In another study featured in Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice and Policy, participants documented their daily sources of pandemic-related news and reported symptoms of depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. The research identified a connection between increased exposure to news on social media and these symptoms.
Furthermore, a systematic review published in Cureus examined the impact of social media on adolescents and young adults. The analysis revealed that smartphone and social media use among teenagers is associated with increased mental distress, self-harming behaviors and suicidality.
Finding Balance With Support From Restore Mental Health
If the constant stream of distressing news is impacting your emotional health, Restore Mental Health is here to help. Our team understands how media overload can contribute to stress, anxiety, depression and emotional fatigue. We offer personalized care to help you regain balance, manage stress and build healthier coping strategies. Contact Restore Mental Health today to take the first step toward feeling better.
