I have noticed that my general level of anxiety seems to follow the extent to which I am tuned into the news. The more news I listen to, the greater the stress. Even my beloved NPR is showing chronic toxic effects.
The pace and magnitude of the news cycle seems to be tied to the level of outrageous events. All of the detail and repetition add up to a heightened angst that eventually wears one down.
Someone once defined news as “semi-analytical show business”. It’s a 24/7 circus in High Definition. The whole political system has redesigned itself to synchronize its actions to interfere constructively or destructively (whichever confers benefit) with the news cycle.
I need to get off this merry-go-round.
Lamentations on Chemistry 
Best thing I ever did was turn of the Telly for good. Now I get my news once a day in the paper. Much better this way.
The worst are those Fox News Alerts, that they implemented around 9/11 and never stopped. I swear there’re about 2-3 an hour, and its usually about such earth-shattering stories like Lindsay Lohan’s drug status, or an apartment fire in some random city. Its impossible to watch that channel for an extended period of time and NOT be paranoid.
Sorry, you’re behind the curve – the news is no longer “semi-analytical show business.” It has been relabeled as “infotainment” LOL
Please! Get with the modern labels. Labels are the soul of an idea.
I hear what you are saying. The news is difficult to hear and it does have an effect on my thoughts and anxiety. Great post! Thanks!
Jeepers. I’m already in comfortable space- as usual I’m a latecomer to an established idea. Better late than never.