Hey Cuties,
I’m posting about this topic for a selfish reason, but it is helpful to everyone. Whenever the news gets heavy I just need a break. I need a break from the TV media and social media. Everyone suddenly feels the need to “wax poetically” about the topic at hand. I have bad news burnout.
What is too heavy for me, might be just fine for you. For me, a black person is killed by a police officer unjustly. When said police offer gets off although the evidence is blatant. A presidential election becomes a total shit show. A bunch of white supremacists take over a town with Polynesian tiki torches and someone drives into a crowd and kills someone. When 45 gets on TV and puts blame on said victims or signs us up for war with North Korea. I check out…
I believe in being informed and I will have these conversations within a safe space, ie. my home. I don’t need to discuss it on social media or prove why I feel the way I feel. NOPE! I also don’t need to dump all of this negativity into my system around the clock. I tend to run to Instagram because it’s a carefree kind of platform, no dissertations are stored here.
If you feel the same way then here are five ways I clear my head.
#1 TV: For me, that includes binge-watching something on Netflix and getting caught up on my DVR.
Photo Credit: Claws TNT
#2 Crafts: my latest and greatest project was the shared home office. While the kids are on vacation I’m doing some work in LittleCuteLips room. I’ve got to get her closet and toy situation together.
Shared Home Office
#3 Laugh: It does wonders for the soul. Just being silly with my girls, Babe, the kids and or the family. Tonight I got out and laughed for hours and damn it, it felt good. So good, the photographer caught me.
Photo Credit: Alecia Renece Photography
#4 Exercise: For me, that usually means walking, because of step wars. Babe and I recently walked to check out the latest Ben’s Chili Bowl mural. I hadn’t had a chance to see it in person. We strolled the streets, chatting and taking in the scene.
#5 Eat: Go out to dinner, invite folks over, try out a new recipe you’ve been wanting to make. My cousins and I were long overdue a girl’s night in. For us, that means Sangria, fried chicken, and laughter.
Red Robin – Berrylicious Ice Cream Cake
#6 Write/Read: I just started journaling so that is a great way for me to be creative and express my thoughts. Listen to a new audio book or crack the spine on a book you hadn’t made time to read. A trashy novel would be a good one or getting caught up on past MimiCuteLips reads you’ve missed.
Marshall’s $4.99 each
#7 Retail Therapy: I love to buy things, I love to see packages delivered at my door. Yes hello Amazon Prime, Target, H&M or your favorite small business.
#8 Outdoor Adventure: Get outside and take in some fresh air.
#9 Take in a Show: Festival, Concert, Extreme Sport, Professional Games…
#10 Bein the Moment: What ever that moment is for you and then snap a picture.
LittleCuteLips hair twinning with Dad
What do you do to preserve your mental head space? Chat with me in the comments below or FB, IG, and Twitter.
Yes i recently started journaling and I love the way it helps me process my feelings. It’s a great way to decompress after a long day.
Me too Jenn, I’m addicted.
AMEN to just vegging out and watching tv. That seems to help me the most!
Right, that will never get old.
That ice cream cake looks incredible! I feel you. I find the news so anxiety producing and frightening the last year or more. I also like to watch Stephen Colbert and Weekend Update show – that helps me to laugh. There’s too much sadness and horror happening right now and the hate is incomprehensible to me. Great ideas here to help maintain some stability and sanity right now.
Stephen Colbert is hilarious, I catch him on YouTube. I’m trying to do my part and adding joy to the world.
I love your tips especially spending time with family, shopping and laughing that definitely helps me for sure
Thanks, Anosa.
I just can’t even watch the news anymore. For one thing, you never get the whole story and someone is always mad! I’ll live in my own little world and be uninformed and happy!
You are so right Christy. You have to choose sanity.
I am so with you on most of these, I definitely eat, watch TV and retail therapy shop. I do try and stick on a film that will make me smile.
Sarah, it is a great time to watch your favorite movie for the millionth time.
It seems like there is bad news everywhere you turn these days. These are good tips for when you just can’t handle it anymore. Writing is one way I relieve stress.
That is a great choice Pam.
Great ideas for a mental health break. Sometimes I get dragged into a discussion but for the most part I choose to ignore and keep living my life.
Lisa, social media loves to drag you into conversation.
Love this, Mimi! The news is very overwhelming and can take a toll. Thanks for the reminder to look to the things that bring joy.
You’re welcome Valerie.
All are great suggestions. What I need more of is #3, but what I do more of is #5.
Make sure you find a way to get it in Jenn.
That bad news can really get you down but it’s good that you have some ways to cope. Exercise always seems to make me feel better.
I need to do more exercise when I need a break.
Reading and writing always does the trick for me. That’s my go to when I want to vent. Also, watching an upbeat show helps.
Getting your thoughts down on paper is a great way. TV is another good one.
When things get to stressful for me I like to relax in a hot bath with a good book. There has been so much bad news in the world it can be hard to stay positive. It is a good idea to check out and do something positive.
Oh, Claudia that is a good one. Calgon take me away.
I feel like bad news runs the world right now. I wish we only spoke of the positive!
I agree Karissa, that is why I need to take a break. I need to make sure I get positivity.
News burnout is something that lately happens every now and then. The best remedy that I have for this is to switch off the telly and go for a long , log walk and look up at the blue skies and the greenery around.
That is a great idea Sandy, connect with nature and clear your mind.
These are definitely amazing tips – I love LAUGHING! Sometimes even when the worst is happening if you can just find something to have a good belly laugh about things seem brighter.
You are so right, a good belly laugh can fix a lot of things.
What a better way to burn out calories, invite friends or family and have fun time catching up, good laughs always comes when friends are together.
Yes, Rose!
I hate when bad news gets the best of me. I just really like to be in the moment and enjoy my family.
That is the best recovery.
I loved this! People underestimate taking a break. I try to practice a little of that each day even if it’s just for 5minutes. When I check out I want nothing to do with negative people, no tv, no phone just peacefulness! I read, I write, meditate, workout, sometimes just lay in silence it feels so good!
I like the way you think Von.
I’m in the middle of a bad news burnout myself, so all of these tips are extremely helpful. I’ve been using my own blog to vent my frustrations.
That is a great outlet Chantal.
I feel you girl, the news has just been too much lately. I like to pray when I feel stressed or overwhelmed. That and walking helps clear my head and put me in a positive space.
That is a great way to release Stacie.
Man, yes. The news is sooooo bad these days. Even though truth is stranger than fiction, I opt for fiction when I can’t deal with all this truth. Great ideas!
Hahahaha.
Yes, this Texas Hurricane is doing me a job! So I often pull back from everything and I usually do a couple of the things you have listed. I usually shop from my cellphone because if I get on the computer I start reading more about stuff that I don’t necessarily want to read about
I totally feel you on this one.
I have started doing water aerobics and I am really enjoying. The music and the other people in the pool and keep the crowd pumped up. I really need to get my Netflix account activated, they have some great documentaries that I enjoyed watching.
Oh wow Tiffany. I’ve always wanted to try water aerobic. Mostly because of the music.