"Don't watch the news" they say

Pravin Wadhwani

The minute you turn on the news it feels like we're living through an episode of Designated Survivor. Every time we check in on the world, it's only bad news. I am no mental health expert but I can safely assume that this can't be good for most people. 

Every phone call you have with your friends or family you are advised to "stop watching the news" and whilst you agree with that advice you know it is virtually impossible. Everyday our parents will tell us "Don't watch the news." One hour later you go into the TV room and the room smells of "Breaking News" as Sky News blasts through the speakers.

I am not ashamed to admit that I get spooked whilst watching horror films, but for some strange reason I still want to watch them. The intrigue is there, the burning curiosity to find out whether that character was murdered or whether the ghost pops out of nowhere is strong. 

Just like horror movies, we are too curious to find out the death toll in xyz country because this is all we know today. I am not blaming the media here but what this pandemic has done is got us gripped onto the latest movie: "2020: The Year the World went to Shit" and the viewing numbers are that of blockbuster standards. We physically cannot go to the cinema and there isn't enough Netflix in the world that can take our eyes away from Sky, Al Jazeera, CNN et al. 

We need to find a way to stay informed, but stay mentally sound too. This is not me advising people what to do but giving some perspective on my tactic to beat my fear of the news. I have designated 30 minutes in the day to STAY INFORMED. I have mentally prepared myself that these precious 30 minutes are spent being updated at what is going on. Then I switch off and never return until the following 24 hours are up. 

I also ensure that these 30 minutes slots are not at the start of my day, nor are they at the end of my day. Perhaps there is enough Netflix in the world that can take my eyes away from this horror movie....