We live in a world full of constant news updates and never ending social media notifications.

While it’s important to be informed of what’s happening in the world, the constant barrage of toxic news and social media content can take a real toll on our mood and mindset.

We feel helpless and hopeless because we’re being told repeatedly that our situation is out of our control. And the over-consumption of news and social media is resulting in an exponential rise in mental illness and extremism.

By taking a break from the constant stream, you can give yourself the mental space to focus on the things that really matter in your life.

For years my partner and I have started our days with coffee in the living room in front of the morning news. With our busy lives this time together was something we enjoyed.

Sitting at the coffee table while she applied her make-up we’d listen to the happenings in the world and share our opinions. During all of this my fingers furiously tapping my phone as I Googled for more info on the news stories that elicited an emotional response.

I had no idea how much this simple little habit was affecting our moods and mindsets for the rest of the day.

My partner would leave the house grumpy over a trivial news clip, and this would last until she walked back in the door.

Myself, being one who loves a good debate, would crave and seek out encounters with people with a different stance on any given current event just so I could argue my side in a desperate attempt at getting a shot of cheap dopamine from “being right”.

It’s crucial to stay informed on what’s happening in the world, but spending too much time watching news and following negative headlines can lead to an increase in stress, anxiety and contribute to a sense of hopelessness and down-right anger.

These feelings are then validated throughout the day by the pessimism of others who are also over-consuming.

This wasn’t an easy habit to break, but I’ve found that limiting my own exposure to news media has improved my mood, and allows me to stay better focussed on the things I SHOULD be focussed on.

Nowadays I barely watch any news at all. If there’s a current even or issue that affects me directly I do my own research, form my own opinion and take action if it’s warranted. If it doesn’t affect me (or someone I love), it doesn’t get my attention.

It’s easy to get caught up in a cycle of comparison and negativity when all we see are unrealistic standards, lifestyles and constant complainers.

Like I said earlier I’m one who LOVES to debate, and social media is the perfect place. Depending on the people and pages you follow these platforms can be a cesspool of toxic opinions - so of course it was my job to “enlighten” these folks with my own.

I came to the realization that I wasn’t saving anyone. I wasn’t making any kind of positive impact. All I was doing was buying in and wasting valuable time.

Stepping away from social media and disconnecting from negative influences also empowers us to reclaim control over our time and attention. I now limit recreational scrolling and am constantly monitoring what I see.

This person is constantly complaining and sharing toxic opinions?

Unfollow.

This page is repeatedly posting content that does more to divide people than to make a positive impact?

Unfollow.

Instead of being at the mercy of a constant stream of negativity, we can choose to give our time and focus to activities and relationships that bring us fulfillment and growth.

We all know them. They’re everywhere. We run into them at:

I used to be SURROUNDED by them.

I used to constantly be in environments where you just couldn’t get away from them - people with strong opinions about subjects they had absolutely ZERO comprehension of.

Who needs an uneducated barfly’s opinion on epidemiology? Or their mechanic’s view on climate change?

Not only were they not qualified to debate many of these topics, I came to realize that NEITHER WAS I.

In the interest of improving my mindset (and preserving my sanity) I resolved to limit my time in those environments; and in cases like the workplace or social gatherings I simply just don’t engage no matter how hard someone is pushing.

So these were the steps I took (and continue to take):

As you reflect on the benefits of limiting your exposure to news media an unfollowing negative people and pages, remember that the power to curate both your online and real-life experiences lies in YOUR hands.

Remember, cutting out negativity in your life isn’t selfish - it’s self care.