Covid-19: To News or Not to News
Dr Isaac Baker
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Limit your exposure to media. If it's taking a toll on you, switch off the news and check-in less frequently.
The scale of the problem can become all too encompassing, leading to unintended consequences on your wellbeing.
Here's Why and How
- Scenario A: Taking X, Y and Z precautionary efforts in accordance to an objective reality severity of 7/10, where it does not exceed 7. DOES NOT watch the news.
- Scenario B: Taking X, Y and Z precautionary efforts in accordance to an objective reality severity of 7/10, where it does not exceed 7. DOES watch the news, closely tracking the news for updates every few hours.
The objective realities are identical. The perceived realities are different.
In Scenario B, the subjective reality can max out at 10, meanwhile the objective reality is at a 7.
While I believe it is useful to worry and take precautions, this is only useful insofar as it drives proactive protective actions. Once you’ve taken appropriate measures, and where objective reality continues to align with your actions, it runs the risk of becoming maladaptive and detrimental to your mental health.
Call To Action
- Take care of yourself. If it's taking a toll on you, switch off and check-in less frequently.
Reach out if you and your team would like support and guidance during this difficult, and likely extended, period. Email me: [email protected]
Be well.
Isaac
#covid19 #coronavirus #wellbeing #health #mentalhealth #Mapien #WorkplaceStrategists #psychology
Credit Analyst | Economist
5 年Preach. It's death and destruction just about everywhere in the media right now and that makes sense. This activates the fear system which freezes you and focuses your attention on the source of the fear so you can construct a conceptualization of that source and figure the right response. I wouldn't say anyone is deliberately "hacking" that otherwise vital system but that is the effect. Worth knowing because that system takes one mean toll on your body.