Constantly scrolling social media or seeking out news “is increasing our anxiety by feeding into this belief that if we have enough information, we can control what happens,” said Jacqueline Bullis, PhD, a clinical psychologist in McLean Hospital’s Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders. “The more we seek certainty over what will happen in the future, the more anxious we will feel. It is impossible to be 100% certain of what the future holds.” Here are tips to help manage information and anxiety levels:
- Be selective about media. Stick to trusted sources that you have vetted. Consider using this Media Bias Chart.
- Limit time spent engaging with news. Bookmark trusted sites and check them for updates just once or twice per day.
- Remove anxiety-provoking information from your social media feeds. If people you follow are filling your feeds with upsetting information, mute or hide their posts.