Why You Should Never Watch The News
Flipping on the news has been a daily ritual for many of us. The attraction? A sense of staying informed, connected to the world, and maybe even a dash of drama to spice up our otherwise mundane lives.
The news promises us a window into the global goings-on, a chance to form our own opinions, and a way to keep our finger on the pulse of society.
However, what you should be asking yourself is whether this daily ritual is actually serving you well in the long run. While being informed and connected is important, it might be time to examine the costs that come with it. Let’s go!
10 reasons why you shouldn’t watch the news
1. It increases stress
You wake up, brew some coffee, and sit down with the morning news. Seems innocent enough, right? Well, not so fast. Studies suggest that the constant barrage of negative stories can actually increase your stress levels.
The world is a crazy place, and exposing yourself to that chaos every single day can crank up your cortisol, your body’s primary stress hormone.
2. It consumes valuable time
If you ever wondered where all your free time went, maybe it’s buried under the avalanche of 24/7 news cycles.
Time is a valuable commodity, and those hours spent glued to the screen could be better used. Pick up a hobby, hang out with loved ones, or simply watch the clouds go by. Trust me, the world won’t fall apart if you skip the evening news for a couple of days.
3. New outlets are often biased
Regardless of the channel you tune into, every news outlet has its own angle, agenda, or bias. It’s virtually impossible to get a clear, objective picture of what’s happening in the world when every story is dipped in a thick coat of subjective sauce.
Navigating this maze becomes an exhausting endeavor, and it’s hard to make sense of reality through those tinted lenses.
4. The news tends to provoke fear
While news agencies may not deliberately aim to scare you, it’s hard to deny that fear sells. Dramatic headlines, gripping visuals, and ominous background music—they’ve got the whole package to make sure you’re always on the edge of your seat.
Problem is, constantly living in a state of fear is neither healthy nor productive.
5. The fear of missing out can become overwhelming
Sure, no one wants to be the last to know about major events or breaking news. But the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) can lead you down a rabbit hole of never-ending updates, tweets, and notifications.
Before you know it, you’re entangled in a web of information that you neither need nor particularly care about.
6. It affects your mood and emotional state
The emotional roller coaster that often comes with watching the news can be draining. Seeing stories of tragedy, injustice, or conflict can lead to feelings of sadness or anger. While it’s essential to be aware of such issues, constant exposure can negatively affect your mood and emotional well-being.
7. Incomplete information can lead to misinformation
News stories often offer just a snapshot of a situation, especially when it comes to complex issues. The lack of context or comprehensive coverage can lead to a skewed understanding of events, or even misinformation. This might then affect how you interpret and engage with the world around you.
8. It encourages passive consumption over active engagement
Watching the news can create a sense of doing something productive while you’re mostly just consuming information. This passive consumption often replaces more active forms of engagement, such as community involvement or personal development.
Instead of just watching stories about societal issues, it might be more impactful to get involved in meaningful ways.
9. Sensationalism over substance
The competition for viewership often leads news outlets to focus on sensational stories that might not be that important in the grand scheme of things. This focus on sensationalism over substance can cloud your understanding of what’s genuinely important, making it hard to prioritize issues appropriately.
10. The news fosters a sense of helplessness
Consistently viewing news stories that highlight problems you feel powerless to solve may cultivate a pervasive sense of helplessness. The news spotlight often shines on major, seemingly insurmountable issues—ranging from climate change to political upheaval.
Despite the scale and complexity of these problems, solutions or calls to action are rarely presented, leading you to question your own effectiveness or role in instigating change.
Final thoughts
News-watching is like potato chips: easy to start and hard to stop. At first, it seems like a quick way to stay informed, but before you know it, you’re stuck in a cycle that’s tough to break. Just like how one more chip turns into an empty bag, one news story leads to another, eating up your time and affecting your mood.
The idea of staying informed is important, but the costs—like stress, a warped view of the world, and even a sense of helplessness—make it worth considering other ways to get your information.