17 Mar Managing news and social media – Tip 1
Let me start by stating the obvious … it’s 2025 and almost impossible NOT to be online (at least some of the time).
That’s OK. It’s not necessarily wrong or bad to spend time online, including consuming news and current affairs, as well as participating in social media but …
… the research suggests, and many of us know from personal experience, that too much time (especially on certain sites) can (especially for some of us) contribute to and exacerbate depression and anxiety and other psychological experiences that aren’t necessarily helpful or healthy.
And so, my first tip in this new blog series is to … limit your exposure.
I’m aware that sounds simple and I’m also aware it’s easier said than done but (finally) I do know that it’s possible, with practice, to make even just some small changes and that these small changes can, over time, create large and notable results. So, with that in mind, set yourself the goal to begin the following:
- Set time limits: Allocate specific time slots for news consumption and stick to them
- Turn off notifications: Disable push notifications on your phone to avoid constant updates
- Set designated news times: Check news at specific times of the day, not throughout the day.
As already noted, although this sounds simple it’s not always easy. So, as you try to introduce these tips into your life and set these limits, accept that you won’t apply them perfectly … and be kind to and gentle with yourself along the way.