Everywhere in the world, the current pandemic has created an overload of bad news.  From the price of oil to job loss and economic destruction, there is a broad choice of worrisome news.

Keeping current about what’s up is probably a best practice. Ignoring or avoiding the news might appear to be a way of reducing your stress but there could well be more danger in not knowing.

Post Bad News Stress Syndrome

I recently read an article about the impacts of bad news on our mental states.  The author compared what he called post bad news stress disorder (PBNSD)  to the more commonly known post trauma stress disorder (PTSD)

I view this view as a bit of an exaggeration.  PTSD is much studied and well documented while considering our over reaction to an abundance of bad news as a potential mental disorder is a bit much and too hypothetical for me.

Maintain Your Perspective

Without a doubt a constant stream of disturbing news, particularly when it is close to home and impactful, is stressful.  We do need to both be able to absorb and understand the news content while maintaining perspective.

We can survive and overcome, allowing stress to drive ourselves to illogical behaviour can be harmful  and actually worsen the situation.    It is an over used mantra but I encourage everyone to keep calm and carry on.

It’s really important to remember, don’t be stressed about the things you can’t control (what could you do anyway).  Focus your actions on things that are realistically within your prevue and achievable.