The News is Killing Your Mental Health—Here’s Why (And What You Can Do About It)

The news cycle today is a goddamn wrecking ball, swinging relentlessly into our mental peace. Whether it's breaking headlines, divisive national discourse, or doom-and-gloom updates that flood our feeds every minute, the media is a nonstop emotional battering ram. And guess what? It’s impacting our mental health in ways you may not even realize.

Sensationalism is Harmful

We’ve all been there: doomscrolling late into the night, clicking from one story to the next, trapped in a cycle of anxiety-driven clicks. The thing is, news outlets know this. Sensationalized headlines are designed to trigger you, to pull you in with fear and outrage because that’s what sells. The more you’re shocked, the more you’ll stay engaged, and the deeper you’ll dig yourself into that pit of despair.

This isn’t just uncomfortable—it’s harmful. Studies show that constant exposure to stress-inducing news can heighten feelings of anxiety, depression, and hopelessness. You’re getting hit with trauma, daily. And your brain doesn’t care if it’s from an actual disaster or a scandalized headline—it registers it all the same.

Social Media: Your Mental Health’s Worst Frenemy

Enter social media. A platform where everyone’s got a voice, but not all voices are healthy. The rise of “outrage culture,” fake news, and divisive political battles makes it feel like we’re living in a warzone—without the physical violence. You’re told what to think, what to feel, and when to panic, all in 240 characters or less. And worse? Your algorithm feeds you more of the same.

What’s missing? A break. A breath. A real, grounded connection to the present moment. Social media fosters a never-ending loop of comparison, anxiety, and mental exhaustion. We’re so preoccupied with everyone else’s “perfect” lives, we forget to nurture our own mental well-being.

The Divide is Getting Deeper

The constant barrage of division—political, social, cultural—has created a landscape of “us vs. them.” But the truth is, it’s all of us in the same boat, sinking together. This isn’t just bad for society; it’s wrecking our mental health. Constant conflict keeps us in fight-or-flight mode. It’s exhausting.

You’re exposed to outrage, to anger, to fear, to conflicting views without the space to process your own emotions. This constant state of vigilance makes it impossible to find peace, let alone find unity. And when you’re mentally drained, that’s when the real damage happens: burnout, anxiety, depression.

The Fix? It’s Not Ignorance, It’s Boundaries

Here’s the thing. You don’t need to be up-to-date on every atrocity or be the first to respond to a viral post. It’s okay to unplug, to turn off the notifications, to say “no more” when the constant news cycle starts eating away at your soul. Mental health isn’t about keeping up—it’s about taking control.

Here are some tips to regain control over the chaos:

• Limit news intake: Pick a 2 reliable sources and set a time to check in—don’t let it consume you. Set an intention to limit this time to certain limits.

• Unfollow toxicity: Clear out your social media feeds. Follow accounts that nurture your well-being. Tell Instagram to stop showing you the things that are distressing.

• Give yourself permission to disconnect: Taking a break from the world isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. People won't think you're stupid. They will think you're wise

• Focus on the here and now: Practice mindfulness. The world will keep spinning whether you watch the news or not.

• Curate your circle: Be mindful of the people you engage with. Toxic interactions are like emotional landmines.

  
  

The world is chaotic enough. Don’t let the news cycle steal your peace. Your mental health is worth protecting.