During a meeting, one of my friends shared how she controls her anger and depression.
She limits the amount of time she watches the news.
She admits it’s a selfish act. But it helps her keep her sanity.
As she shared her thoughts, I watched the faces of others at the meeting.
Most people were appalled by doing such a thing, especially with current events.
I came to her defense and supported what she was doing as a normal instinct for self-preservation.
We are all impacted by bad news, whether national news or personal crises.
And it’s easy to become consumed by it.
But life continues, and we must move forward despite the bad news.
We need to control our anger and depression.
Limiting the amount of time you watch the news or even scroll through social media will help you control your anger or depression.
It’s a way to limit the negative talk and keep hopeful when everything around appears bleak. It’s self-preservation.
Some may think that’s a selfish attitude. But isn’t it okay to be selfish sometimes?
We are all limited in what we can do when something bad occurs.
In one of my favorite books, Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom, the main character has a terminal diagnosis and is dying.
Instead of feeling sorry for himself all day, he limits the amount of time he sulks.
He gives himself a certain amount of time each morning to feel sorry for himself. Then, he continues his day living life.
It’s not sticking your head in the sand because you know the bad news. And it’s not that you’re insensitive to the situation.
It’s just a way to cope by staying positive. It’s self-preservation.
Before you criticize this act, try it for a day.
Limit your time watching the news and scrolling through social media. Take note of your mood.
Do you feel less angry or less depressed?
While it’s important to know what’s going on, sometimes it’s better for your mental health to limit how much negative information you hear.
Self-preservation is key to controlling anger and depression.
(Update to original post from February 22, 2018)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Niv Persaud, CFP®, is the Founder of Transition Planning & Guidance, LLC (TransitionPG®). She believes life is more than accumulating money – it’s about living the lifestyle you envision and can afford. Niv incorporates all aspects of life when discussing money. She developed the 5 P’s of Life (Personal Relationships, Personal Finance, Profession, Peace of Mind, and Physical Health) to help clients define what they want from life. Once she understands their vision, she helps them achieve their lifestyle or adjust their expectations based on their finances. Niv actively gives back to the community through her volunteer efforts. She believes in living life to the fullest by cherishing friendships, exploring the world, and laughing often—even at herself. Her favorite quote is by Erma Bombeck, “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say ‘I used everything you gave me.’” Click here to read where she’s been quoted in the media.