How often do you watch/read the news?

Question

* “Feel-Good” news stories that are intended to be inspiring and motivational.
And, if you are an avid news watcher/reader, what would say the benefits are? How does it improve your life? This has been on my mind for a while and I’m curious.
For me, I stopped watching and reading the news (aside from getting caught up about major events and the occasional fluff story) about a year or so ago and it has done wonders for my life and happiness. I feel more satisfied with my life, grateful for what I have, productive, and I care more about my health. To be frank, aside from staying informed, I don’t really see a point to the news. From what I can tell and what I have heard, it doesn’t make people happy, it just causes anger, division, fear, and hatred. All things I don’t want or need in my life and if I can avoid them, I will.
I’m just wondering, what’s the point?

Answer

I truly do not think the human brain is equipped for the 24/7 news cycle. I like to be aware of current events but I try to do it consciously rather than mindlessly doom scrolling. I dont keep up with the news every single day. I usually skim over the headlines on Reuters and Associated Press's website a couple of times a week and read any articles that interest me. I'll research something in more depth from multiple sources if it really catches my curiosity. I also try to pay attention to how the news is affecting me. If it is hurting my mental health I'll take a break for a while.

Answer

I used to read the news every day but I ended up with 'tragedy fatigue'. Every news story was negative or sensationalist and it was hurting my mental health. I still get the big stories and I still like the science and tech parts, but I don't go looking for news any more.

Answer

It’s important for me to understand the world around me to best engage with it. I don’t know how I could vote without following the news. I don’t know how I could even be a part of my community, or do the type of work I’ve done without understanding the larger context of what is happening around me. 
To be totally honest, I have a difficult time understanding people who feel differently. I get being busy, especially during more intense personal time periods. I definitely need breaks. I’ll step away for a bit, or be too busy to keep up beyond a cursory level for a time. I couldn’t imagine ever not wanting to feel informed, or not continuing to self educate though. 
I think part of the problem is that we’re inundated with so many sources of varying quality all the time now. I definitely do not let CNN or god forbid Fox News yammer on in the background all day. I also try to avoid doom scrolling which is a bigger temptation for me personally. Neither of those are healthy or helpful. 
Instead I try to be much more intentional with how I get my information. This sounds like a lot, but I absolutely don’t do every single thing every single day. 
I like to to get an idea of major daily stories. Typically I watch the local and national daily news. Sometimes I’ll just catch their headlines, or scroll breaking stories online. 
If something interests me I pull up an article from a trusted source. I like The Guardian and The Independent a lot as well as a few local papers   If I want more in-depth I like News Hour, Chicago Tonight, and Amanpour and Company all on PBS. I also love NPR. I try to get in the 1a Friday news round up every week. I’m still halfway through last weeks, so it’s not a goal I always accomplish 😂 Sometimes their other daily podcasts if the topic interests me. I usually put that on during my semi-daily workout so I’m using my time well.

Answer

I don’t watch the news on TV at all. I will read news articles occasionally, but I do not focus on it often. I find it very depressing and it leaves me feeling very anxious and worried for the future. I don’t want to live my life like that. Tragedy fatigue is a real phenomenon; the more ‘informed’ you are, the more likely you are to experience it. I keep up with major events, but even things like the war in Ukraine, I am only partially informed. I have to keep things at arm’s length for my own well-being.

Answer

I watch the news every evening. It’s something my family has always done. We watch the news at dinner time and discuss current events. I still do it. I like it because I stay informed.

Answer

I also don’t watch the news. All the big and important news stories still end up finding their way to me (through social medias, friends, etc) so I’m definitely not completely out of the loop. I think it’s blatantly obvious that a lot of it is written like sensational magazine headlines and I just don’t have the time to “fall for it” and spend time worrying about it. I always see people say it’s a privilege to ignore the news, but I think it’s a privilege to constantly be tuned in and worried about what we can’t change. I don’t have the time or patience to be stressed out about half truths and gossip from the news now that I have a kid that requires most of my patience.

Answer

Daily, but I don’t obsess over it. Unless it’s in my locus of control, the information is as an FYI. It does help inform my decisions on things, but I’m not able to stop the war in Ukraine, for example. I can watch for other things, like book banning on the US and advocate against it. 
I read the news from a variety of sources.

Answer

I have to watch the news daily and be up to date on all current events. It’s my job. I’m a high school teacher/college professor. It’s important to be aware, in my field, of current events, political or not. It’s crucial to be an informed being in my opinion. I watch the news in a variety of ways. I have news apps that I primarily use. It’s important to know about the world around you and how it will affect you in some way. It’s important to stay up to date on new laws and bills being brought forth. I watch a variety of news and I read the news, especially bills.

Answer

All BS. Don’t entertain liars

Answer

I read the NYT headlines every morning and pursue more information if the topic interests or concerns me. I feel like it is important to understand what is happening in the world. Forming opinions and participating in community discourse is a prerequisite in my social/professional circles. Ignoring what’s happening in the world doesn’t make it go away and civil disengagement actually contributes to allowing some pretty terrible things to happen. That said, there is a lot of media noise out there that only serves to confuse and distract people. Do what you need to do to stay sane

How often do you watch/read the news?

Let's Glow!

The Top Baby Tracker App: Embrace New Beginnings with Tender Care

The Top Fertility Tracker App: Your Path to Achieving Pregnancy

The Top Pregnancy App: Nurturing Your Journey to Motherhood

The Top Period Tracker for Empowering Your Menstrual Health Journey