During any crisis, it’s important to protect our mental health as well as our physical health. That’s why I am self-quarantining against spending too much time on too many news apps. Sadly, in some cases they’re doing more damage to our minds than the virus is to our bodies. For example, keywords from the first few headlines on the NYT app the other day (and it’s across the other sites too) scream:
- Warning
- Confusion
- Bled Dry
- Gone to Hell
- Chaos
- Mobilize the Military
- Time is growing short
I want you to imagine saying those words out loud every day, two times a day, or ten times a day - which is probably just a fraction of the time you’re checking media apps. And these are the headlines from the biggest - and supposedly most responsible - media companies we have today. Never mind the utter craziness that’s blasting across Twitter or Facebook.
So, inoculate your mind as well as your body. Take the crisis seriously; but don’t repeat - or let others fill your mind - with words that can do more harm than good. And continue to take smart, simple actions to maintain physical and mental health: Wash your hands, keep your distance and don’t panic-buy - especially all the negativity.
Instead, find something that inspires you. A poem, a prayer, a good conversation with a neighbor or family member. And tap into the examples from history that remind us that we, too, shall succeed - like the wise words of President Roosevelt:
“So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is...fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and of vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. And I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days.”
The media has jumped the shark. We’re beyond reporting partisan politics and car crashes and policy squabbles when it’s a crisis. In my opinion, they should be ashamed of these kinds of headlines but they’re not; That should tell you everything. But I’m just going to speak for myself: I’m holding them responsible by refusing to give them my attention and my subscription.
I’m better off listening to something else: For starters, calm, scientific and clearly researched information that helps me take things seriously without hysteria. Then, something that keeps my spirits up - a recording of Roosevelt’s words from a century ago, something positive from a TED Talk or any of the countless Good News stories that are tracking our progress against the virus. Almost anything other than tuning into our pop-up-ad-driven media today.
I encourage you to consider a mental self-quarantine, too: Whatever words fill you with hope and confidence, find them instead of the words of worry being fed into your head from all these apps.
Onward to turn retreat into advance, and claim victory with vigor!