In this episode, we dive headfirst into the chaos of modern news. From Trump and the threat of WW3 to compassion fatigue and activist burnout, we explore how 24/7 news cycles are affecting our minds, our moods, and our motivation to help.
ð± We unpack how being constantly plugged in can impact wellbeing, from heightened stress and anxiety (Johnston & Davey, 1997) to emotional overload from trying to do too much (McLaughlin, Gotlieb & Mills, 2022).
ð¥ But itâs not all doom and gloom. We celebrate activism and purpose as powerful forces for good (Kim, Herrmann & Nah, 2019), and also talk about how to avoid the trap of doing so much that you burn out.
We chat about:
The weight of bad news
The psychology of overexposure
Activism as a double-edged sword
How to hold onto hope ð±
Tips for taking healthy breaks, finding good news, and talking it out
You are allowed to care and protect your energy.
ð References cited in this episode:
Johnston, W. M., & Davey, G. C. L. (1997). The psychological impact of negative TV news bulletins: The catastrophizing of personal worries. British Journal of Psychology, 88(1), 85â91. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2044-8295.1997.tb02622.x
McLaughlin, B., Gotlieb, M. R., & Mills, D. J. (2022). Caught in a dangerous world: problematic news consumption and its relationship to mental and physical Ill-Being. Health Communication, 38(12), 2687â2697. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2022.2106086
Kim, D. H., Von Herrmann, J., & Nah, S. (2023). News portals as a gateway to civic engagement: the case of South Korea. Media International Australia, 191(1), 147â162. https://doi.org/10.1177/1329878x231206643
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