Welcome to the latest edition of Igniting Your Dynamic Self with Wendy Bjork. As an international bestselling author, inspirational speaker and guide to others, as well as founder of heartsofwellness.com, it is my mission to help others make forward progress in living their best lives!
Are you already dreading another election season? The constant discussions and drama on the news? Not to mention the ads everywhere. The nightly news used to be a reliable, unbiased place for finding out what had happened that day.
Maybe you’ve heard of the saying, “if it bleeds, it leads.” In the news business, that means negative headlines attract more viewers and bring in more ad revenue. The problem is that staying tuned in to all the doom and gloom has serious consequences for your mental health.
It triggers an emotional response to stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, which can cause you to feel anxious or depressed. If you’re prone to anxiety, it can also disrupt your sleep patterns and make it difficult to concentrate or focus on your work or family.
If you’re so engrossed in current events that they dominate your thoughts, interfere with relationships and contribute to your stress levels, then it’s time to take a break from watching the news. Not only will you become more productive, but you’ll also improve your overall wellbeing by reducing your exposure to the media.
In the past, TV was the only way for many people to get their news. Now, there are a multitude of options to choose from, including social media and websites. Despite the ease of access, there are still some people who prefer to watch the news on TV. Whether they’re concerned about world affairs, or they just enjoy hearing all the drama and gossip, TV news is a popular choice for many.
Watching the news on TV is a passive activity, so you don’t have much control over what’s being presented to you. This can be problematic because it’s easy for television news to misinterpret or distort information. This is often the case because TV journalists aren’t required to fact-check or verify their sources.
This can lead to a lot of falsehoods, which can make you question the credibility of other news outlets. It can also be challenging to determine if a story is actually true, or if it’s just being reported as such for dramatic effect.
A study by the University of Michigan found that watching too much news negatively impacts your mental health. The participants in the study who were most obsessed with the news experienced higher levels of anxiety and depression. It also interfered with their sleep patterns, and caused them to have poor eating habits. If you’re a news junkie, you may want to consider trying out an alternative form of media, such as a daily newsletter or a news podcast. It can help you stay informed without the harmful effects of too much TV. You can also ask a friend or family member to fill you in on the most important current events, which will limit your exposure and reduce your stress levels. And if you’re going to watch the news, try to schedule it far from your bedtime, so you can have a chance to relax and fall asleep without any interference from the TV.
Finding a good independent source such as PriceofBusiness.com helps you stay informed with a variety of factual, honest news topics as well as lifestyle articles to empower you.
If there is any support, I can offer in living your best life, feel free to download your copy of 30-Day Blueprint Towards Living Your Best Life or send a message to media@heartsofwellness.com. Discovering and living by your personalized playbook are important steps we can create together!
As a best selling author, inspirational speaker and Nationally Syndicated Columnist, Wendy Bjork empowers women to see beyond whatever challenges they are navigating.
She inspires them to boldly live in acceptance, live healthy and free as she teaches them to see life in a different way to fulfill their dreams that have been left on the back-burner for far too long.
Her HeartsofWellness.com platform is the place for women to begin receiving the support they are seeking as they create their roadmap back to freedom and wellness with Wendy lighting their path.
As a pioneer in advocacy and mentorship, Wendy is leading a global revolution of women walking in purpose and peace as she illumines their path ahead with the light of HOPE: Harmony, Options, Peace & Empowerment.
Follow Wendy: heartsofwellness.com/newsletter
Check out more lifestyle stories here.
