Confession: I have an obsessive need to read, follow and consume news.
Yes, it’s partly due to my profession, where I must be on top of the news cycle on behalf of clients. But it’s also because we live in an era of non-stop content and algorithm-driven feeds designed to keep us engaged 24/7. I love and embrace news, but it is all-consuming.
I’m not alone. The proliferation of news access, social platforms amidst hundreds upon thousands of voices impacts us all. We’re drowning in information. The sheer volume we absorb throughout the day is staggering.
However, as much as I crave hiding under the covers and disconnecting, tuning out completely isn’t an option.
I have enormous respect for our media professionals and believe that (good) journalism is crucial to our society. We must be informed, connected, and engaged.
So, how do we strike a balance between staying informed and staying sane? Here are four steps to take back control of our attention and find clarity in this noisy world.
- Set boundaries. No need to drown in the constant flood of headlines 24/7. Schedule time for news check-ins. I prefer first thing in the morning, midday, and an early evening update. Turn off push notifications and designate quiet time with your phone (and TV) off completely. Walk outside. Exercise. Read a book. (AKA: ‘touch grass’ as my kids would say.)
- Stop the Presses! Choose Wisely. Take control of your news intake. Be selective. Do not feel pressured to follow every news outlet or social platform. We should lean less on consumer journalism and curate more reliable sources – and follow trusted news organizations or email digests. Resist the urge to dive into multiple sources that merely clog the inbox. (“Delete” is a useful word.)
- Be skeptical of outrage-bait headlines. They are designed to provoke emotion. Use fact-checking sites like Snopes, FactCheck.org) to separate fact from fiction. If a story seems too shocking, take a breath. Better yet? Just move on.
- Counterbalance the doom. Sprinkle your news feed with media outlets that cover lighter news; follow industry thought leaders who see the fuller, bigger picture. Challenge yourself to balance hard news with more positive content. Commit to a doomscroll detox and mix up your routine – often I opt for lighter pop-culture, food, or art/film news for a more enjoyable start to my day.
Recognize that media saturation is real. If you find yourself endlessly scrolling, ask yourself if it’s helping or making you anxious. The key is to consume today’s content with intention, not passively absorb everything thrown our way.
In this era of information overload, the real power lies not in consuming more—but in choosing wisely. Your sanity depends on it.