Is The News Affecting Your Well Being?

WHAT DOES WELL BEING MEAN?

Well-being is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as “the state of being comfortable, healthy or happy.” While this does include happiness, it also includes other things, such as how satisfied people are with their life a whole, their sense of purpose, and how in control they feel.

State of being refers to an individual’s current mental, emotional, or physical condition.  That implies that our state of being is temporal and not a permanent feeling or situation.

 

ANXIETY FROM NEWS AND SOCIAL MEDIA

I am learning more and more that social media is quickly being fabricated by AI or artificial intellegence.  My “local news” on television often shows a catstrophe somewhere like Utah.  I live in Massachusetts, why do I need to be burdened by an event across the country that doesn’t affect me?  Didn’t we have any events in-state that were news worthy?  The media capitalizes on our time and energy with sensational photos and news. Listening to bad news repeatedly is detrimental to our own health by causing anxiety and fear.

Matthew 6:34    “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Proverbs 4:23     Keep (guard) your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

 

THE NEED FOR SELF CARE FOR WELL BEING

Most of us can sense that the need for self-care is often quite high.  After all, we live in a culture that perpetually upholds busy-ness and exhaustion as badges of honor. But I’m not talking about the “buy yourself some chocolate and watch Hallmark” self-care.  I am referring to the kind of self-care that is sustaining and consistent.

If I refuse to listen to the building of my body’s cues telling me I need a break, or a snack, or a hug, I eventually reach breaking point.  And if I choose chocolate and television every time I reach the breaking point, I’m no longer practicing self-care. I’m practicing burn-out.

{sorry, I lost the reference for this passage from Psychology Today}

 

 

 

THE KEY TO RIGHT THINKING

Analyze before trusting the news whether national or personal.   Instead of quickly taking everything at face value we need to process information as it comes and where it comes from.  God will guide us in analyzing information and guiding us into truth.

Proverbs 3:5     Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Philippians 4:8   Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

 

SEEK COUNSEL FOR MENTAL WELL BEING

The news can be overwhelming at times and we need to just shut it off.  Good mental health is important to our whole being. If you are struggling with circumstances beyond your control, depression or feelings of loneliness and unworthiness reach out for help. There are no verses that tell us to suck it up and suffer alone.  Mental and physical health are about balance. 

 

Proverbs 19:20     Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.

Jeremiah 17:9–10   The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?  “I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”

 

 

GRATITUDE IS A HEALTHY STATE OF BEING

Gratitude is always better than grumbling.  Count your blessings instead of your problems.

Habakkuk 3:17–18     Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

Colossians 3:15     And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

 

We have choices everyday.  We cannot control all of our circumstances but we can control the amount of negativity that comes our way.  We can turn off the social media and go outside for a walk or engage in other pleasant activities.  Make the time for reading the Bible. Practice gratitude and mindfulness by keeping  a journal of answered prayer.  God promised to never leave us and to give us peace. Take Him at His word.