Tips when the news and social media become too overwhelming.

In the coming weeks, CTN’s Neuropsychology Team will be sharing a series of posts to support the mental wellness of the children, youth and families we serve. We hope that these posts and additional resources will provide comfort and encouragement as we adjust to our new ways of working, interacting and going about our daily lives.

Take a break from the news
Watching the news about COVID-19 can be stressful because there’s an endless parade of numbers and sad stories. It’s also repeated throughout the day so you won’t miss anything.
Reduce stress by:  

• Picking a set time each day to watch the news and then turn it off.
• Picking a “news buddy”, a person who can watch the news and share highlights with you so you don’t have to watch.

Practice social distancing from social media
Sharing pictures, memes, puzzles and messages of support can be comforting. But social media can also bring different opinions that can make us feel judged. The information is repetitive and often isn’t fact checked or scientifically proven. 

Reduce stress by:   

• Picking a specific time each day to check social media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
• Setting a time limit for reading through the posts.
• Choosing information from reliable and scientific sources.

Filter family and friends
Staying connected with family and friends help us feel less isolated or alone. But if you’re finding that conversations are sometimes filled with judgement or expectations that increase your stress levels or create conflict there are some actions you can take to help.
Reduce stress/conflict by: 

• Telling people that you don’t want to talk about certain topics.
• Steering the conversations in another direction.
• Taking days off from video chats or phone calls that make you feel most stressed.

Not all information is helpful or necessary. Remember that you can control how much information you take in each day. You are working hard to create your own goals and expectations for your family. Make sure that your relationship with information supports those goals too.


 

2020-05-29