Feeling some anxiety

[jnw]

We've had a rough few years.  With the division, pandemic, election events, inflation and now the Russian invasion.  It's not good for my mental health to be honest.   I need to surround myself with some positive people.. people who think everything will be okay.  Feeling overhwelmed with negative feelings.. negative outlook! Sigh.

Feel free to share anything you think might change my outlook and cheer me up. Lol. 

I was listening to Tucker Carlson earlier this evening, and wow I don't understand how he can be so angry at everybody, both democrats and republicans, while seeming to defend Russia at the same time.  He sure gets emotional, angry looking and has this loud whiny voice that gets on my nerves.  (I normally don't watch news, but when I do I try and watch both CNN and Fox News to hear both sides of story, as I try to remain objective.)

[Fru-Gal]

News can give anxiety but TV news is the worst offender. I assume you’re receiving hazardous pay just for watching Tucker Carlson? I’ve never intentionally watched him in my life. I only know who he is from clips I’ve barely watched on social media.

The antidote is to watch the movie Anchorman.

I am also taking a lot of comfort from the stories of people who fired in the 90s and all of the crazy headline news that happened over the decades and how it completely did not affect them.

[Fru-Gal]

That’s one of the problems with men delivering the news on TV. Because of their hormones they get very emotional. :-)

[Dicey]

What is this Fox News you speak of?

[gooki]

I highly recommend a low information diet.

https://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2013/10/01/the-low-information-diet/

[jnw]

Yeah I normally don't watch news, ever since around January of last year.  After the insurrection on the capital that was it for me.  I almost completely ignored the news since then.  But then the Russian invasion sucked be back in.  I am just going to quit reading'/watching it.  Gonna start on my garden tomorrow and play with the dog outside.  I can't control what Putin does and it isn't good for my mental health to worry.  Thanks for the advice everyone.

[Morning Glory]

That’s one of the problems with men delivering the news on TV. Because of their hormones they get very emotional. :-)

And they interrupt and talk over each other, so you can't even understand them!

[former player]

Tucker Carlson isn't news, he says so himself (or his lawyers do on his behalf), it's how he gets away with lying.

For accurate and reasonably unbiased news stay away from cable TV.  Try public radio or the BBC World Service.  Check in for a half hour news bulletin once a day and othewise forget about things you can't control.

[Queen Frugal]

Right before Trump was elected, I was at large financial advisor conference for a big broker.  It was my first and last conference of this sort.  One of the presentations was about who was going to win the election - Clinton or Trump - and they had a Democrat and a Republican talk it out on stage.  The Republican was Tucker Carlson.  It was the first and last time I ever heard him speak.  At the time, I didn't even know he was a "thing".  I don't watch Fox news but I make it a point to do my best to try and understand why the people who do watch Fox news like it.  Makes me a better, more rounded person I think.  I found Tucker Carlson fascinating - very charismatic - though he wasn't angry that day.  It was about a week before the election and he was all about how Trump was definitely going to lose. Ha!

But to your point, I too am struggling with anxiety about the state of our world.  I keep telling myself that this too shall pass.  I also remind myself that in retrospect, today's struggles won't feel as overwhelming or as horrible in the big scheme of things with some time and distance.  And that I need to focus on the things I can actually control. I'm not sure any of it is really working at this point, but I am trying!  I'm considering putting myself back on an information diet - limit the time I can spend listening to the news.  That has helped me in the past.  At the same time, I haven't been able to do it because I feel like knowing what's going on in the world helps me make better choices in my daily life and that makes me feel more in control.  Sirens went off in my neighborhood the other day and my first thought was whether or not we were about to get nuked.  I had to remind myself it was just a tornado drill.  And the fact I was updated on the news at the time made me feel better informed and calmer.  Anyway, I can't radiate positivity to you, but I can tell you that you're not alone!

[Sibley]

Well, part of your problem is that you're watching the news. Stop. It's perfectly possible to know what's going on in the world and never turn on the tv.

Yes, there's a lot of problems and a lot of bad. There's plenty to be anxious and depressed about. There is also plenty to feel happy and grateful for. Our lifestyles have separated us from what will refuel us. Get outside. Work in the dirt. Listen to the birds. Feel the sun and the wind on your face. It will help.

[Kris]

Yeah, for sure stop watching CNN and Fox. CNN is definitely a better news source than Fox, but that doesn’t mean it’s good. Networks that exist to sensationalize don’t do any of us any favors.

[Omy]

I'm also anxious about the pandemic, putin's war, and how this is all going to influence US politics in the midterms. I try to focus on the things I can control. Those things include getting vaccines, social distancing, improving my diet and exercise, keeping the pantry stocked and the cars filled with gas, and donating to WCK.

I stopped watching the news ages ago because it's designed to create drama and anxiety. I try to read neutral, fact based sources and loved MMM's post about the importance of the low information diet.

I remember watching The Weather Channel in 1995 and they had highlighted the entire state of North Carolina in red. We were traveling through and decided to take a break and stay an extra night to avoid the horrible weather conditions coming our way. NOTHING happened...not a cloud in the sky, no tornadoes, hurricanes, or weather related deaths that day.

In that moment, I realized that even the weather had become "entertainment" - a drama meant to create anxiety and influence our choices. That was the moment I stopped watching TV for the "news".

Lately I've tried distracting myself by organizing and optimizing my life...but there's still a low level sense of impending doom when I wake in the middle of the night. I just  "joke" that the threat of armegeddon is likely to cause a bit of anxiety.

[OzzieandHarriet]

I don’t watch TV at all. Fox isn’t “news” - as they point out every time they are criticized or sued - so no point in giving them eyeballs even if I did watch TV. CNN isn’t worth the time one would have to spend to learn anything of substance.

I get news from the Washington Post, the New York Times, and public radio. The Post especially has plenty of right wing op-ed hacks if you want to clutter your mind with wing nut talking points. I feel well-informed on most of what’s going on. I’m also anxious, but at least about factual facts and not spin.

[sonofsven]

Physical activity is the key for me. After a back injury that limited my mobility and introduced me to the world of chronic pain my anxiety slowly increased 'til I started suffering full on panic attacks.
I was focusing, and stressing, on what I couldn't do (physically) any more, and the pain. I started to do what I could do, even if it was minimal. Physical therapy, yoga, swimming, small bits of physical work, diet changes, lifestyle changes slowly started to build back my confidence in my body. Now even though there's lots of physical stuff I  can't do any more there's lots that i can do and my anxiety has plummeted when I get out and move my body.
Also, don't watch or listen to TC, that shit is designed to elecit an emotional response akin to a drug user getting a hit

[OtherJen]

We gave up cable at least a decade ago. Poof, no more 24-hour cable "news" channels. I occasionally listen to NPR or BBC World Service. If there's a major local news or weather event, one of the local broadcast affiliates or the AM station that cycles through headline news, weather, sports, traffic, and markets every 10 minutes will have the necessary info.

I think I'm fairly well informed about major news issues. My main sources are the websites of Reuters, AP News, NY Times, Washington Post, The Guardian, BBC, CBC, and local papers. The news is much less emotionally charged when it is presented as text on a screen.

Tucker Carlson is nothing more than a shock jock.

[Just Joe]

Yeah I normally don't watch news, ever since around January of last year.  After the insurrection on the capital that was it for me.  I almost completely ignored the news since then.  But then the Russian invasion sucked be back in.  I am just going to quit reading'/watching it.  Gonna start on my garden tomorrow and play with the dog outside.  I can't control what Putin does and it isn't good for my mental health to worry.  Thanks for the advice everyone.

I think you are on the right track. Be very discerning about your information sources and consume it in moderation. More consumption isn't going change things in your personal life. There is a war 5000+ miles away, there are limited ways most of us can help, more media consumption changes nothing but might - as you've indicated - affect your emotional status.

To me, FoxNews is about equal with the Enquirer. It is designed to get viewers all whipped up into a frenzy and deliver minor quantities of verified information. Its about how they deliver information, how they repeat it over and over, how fast they talk which makes it seem urgent and exciting, and what they omit - among other strategies. Very much like conservative talk radio. I've watched it with people who like FoxNews and the delivery mechanism really connects to them.

I prefer media sources that deliver the news with more factual content, less politics, less blame unless blame is warranted, less breathless delivery. Not everything is Biden and Pelosi's fault. Also, don't run a political obstruction operation and then blame Biden and Pelosi for inaction.

I find that FoxNews can wind me up more than watching actual Ukrainian battlefield footage - in some cases. What I stumbled upon last night online was bad and I switched that off immediately. My imagination is enough.

If Tucker Carlson and Marjorie Taylor Greene were my primary sources of information I'd be as anxious as some of my relatives are too and I'd be convinced that we are all SOL. And we aren't.

I get a dose of local news from the web and NPR each morning. That affects me and I can affect it. Then if I want another dose I might look at the headlines for a moment on Google News or BBC or NPR. Honestly the various topics here at MMM deliver plenty of content to soak up my spare moments to read the news.

[Davnasty]

I'm with everyone who says read your news, don't watch it.

But if you are going to watch, I've found DW News to be very objective. Although it's based in Germany they broadcast internationally in German, English, and Spanish.

[elaine amj]

I’ll have to check out DW News. I like to find more factual, reasonable content. I don’t follow much right wing media but left wing media is just as opinionated and sensationalist IMO. I was pretty disappointed with the clear lack of objectivity on CNN and the like.

I have to say - I haven’t seen the level of sensationalism everyone talks about on the local Fox News channel I get. I am probably not watching the same things everyone else seems to - just the evening news which I pay semi-attention to if the TV happens to be on. I paid more attention a couple of times but did not discern any heavy sensationalist spin on the news. And no obvious right wing stuff, even during the craziness at the Capitol or during the pandemic.

My DH is obsessed with weather news and I have noticed that they definitely sensationalize the weather lol. So many years of watching every scrap of weather news over and over has him in a tizzy at the smallest snowflake. After 20 years, I have learned to roll my eyes, indulge him, promise to be careful, and just drive. It sure has been useful that he uses the weather radars to predict rain pretty well though. It just makes me laugh that he has to listen to the 10 min radio weather update over and over when he has a smartphone in his hand that can tell him all the same info in less time.


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[Just Joe]

I'm with everyone who says read your news, don't watch it.

But if you are going to watch, I've found DW News to be very objective. Although it's based in Germany they broadcast internationally in German, English, and Spanish.

I'll second DW News. Been watching, reading and listening for a long time.

[Just Joe]

I have to say - I haven’t seen the level of sensationalism everyone talks about on the local Fox News channel I get.

Local Fox is one thing, FoxNews on cable TV is a very different thing.

[PDXTabs]

I was listening to Tucker Carlson earlier this evening, and wow I don't understand how he can be so angry at everybody, both democrats and republicans, while seeming to defend Russia at the same time.  He sure gets emotional, angry looking and has this loud whiny voice that gets on my nerves.  (I normally don't watch news, but when I do I try and watch both CNN and Fox News to hear both sides of story, as I try to remain objective.)

Because Putin just killed Trumpism. In some sense Russia did what the Americans could not.

Also, I never watch Fox. I rarely watch any news at all and instead read like others on this thread.

[elaine amj]

I have to say - I haven’t seen the level of sensationalism everyone talks about on the local Fox News channel I get.

Local Fox is one thing, FoxNews on cable TV is a very different thing.

Oh I see. I have been pretty confused for years lol. I have never seen Fox News on cable so had no idea it was so different.


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[Chris22]

”Some poor, phoneless fool is probably sitting next to a waterfall somewhere totally unaware of how angry and scared he’s supposed to be ” -Duncan Trussell

Go outside, go for a walk, a hike, a bike ride, play with a puppy, do whatever. Turn off the damn TV

[jnw]

I don't have cable, I just watched the Tucker Carlson clips from the foxnews.com web site.

[GuitarStv]

That’s one of the problems with men delivering the news on TV. Because of their hormones they get very emotional. :-)

And they interrupt and talk over each other, so you can't even

Did you know that women have a major hormonal cycle once a month??  Men average more than one a day!

[Morning Glory]

That’s one of the problems with men delivering the news on TV. Because of their hormones they get very emotional. :-)

And they interrupt and talk over each other, so you can't even

Did you know that women have a major hormonal cycle once a month??  Men average more than one a day!

Lol I needed that explanation ;)

[Kl285528]

Been having this experience lately as well. Decided to listen to random segments of The Magic of Thinking Big on my podcast app, just to get my mind back in gear. Also, took 45 minutes to myself today at a funky coffee shop in a different neighborhood today. Just to shake things up. Did some journaling, planning and open ended thinking. Definitely too much cable news is anxiety producing!

[former player]

I don't have cable, I just watched the Tucker Carlson clips from the foxnews.com web site.

Well, don't.

Honestly, there is nothing that man can say or do that wil improve your life or your knowledge of the world.  There are reputable news outlets that will give you information as accurately and truthfully as they can and many posters above have pointed you to them.

[Just Joe]

I don't have cable, I just watched the Tucker Carlson clips from the foxnews.com web site.

Beware he and some of the people like him are experts on taking things out of context and rattling on about it for half an hour.

[jnw]

I don't have cable, I just watched the Tucker Carlson clips from the foxnews.com web site.

Beware he and some of the people like him are experts on taking things out of context and rattling on about it for half an hour.

Yeah I know he does that but my brother watches him all the time and loves him; I don't care for him.  I just watch him from time to time to understand what the heck my brother is watching.  And wow all the doom and gloom all the time from Tucker. It's depressing.

[Just Joe]

Maybe your brother feels empowered by the message. Apocalyptic political porn.

[Poundwise]

I'm with everyone who says read your news, don't watch it.

But if you are going to watch, I've found DW News to be very objective. Although it's based in Germany they broadcast internationally in German, English, and Spanish.

+1 on this.  I like to read The Christian Science Monitor as it is very factual, has little bias according to most measures, and lets you choose between short summaries or deep reads.