Are you feeling overwhelmed by the amount of information coming your way? Do you find yourself constantly checking news or notifications, only to feel more drained than before? If so, it might be time to take a step back and limit your media consumption. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to reclaim some peace by limiting your media consumption.
These days, it’s not just our homes and schedules that need tidying up – our minds need some decluttering too. Our brains can get bogged down with stuff we can’t control, leading to stress and anxiety. So, let’s give our minds a well-deserved break and do some mental housekeeping.
When we’re overloaded with too many distractions, it can take away from the things that really matter to us. That’s why it’s important to be mindful of how much media we consume and limit it accordingly.
Limiting media consumption doesn’t have to mean giving up the music you listen to on your commute. Nor does it mean missing out on your favourite tv programmes. It’s about finding more joy and peace in life, not taking away the things that make it worth living. So don’t worry, you can still have your media fix and have a simpler life too!
First and foremost, limiting media consumption means that you are aware of what kinds of media you are consuming, how much, when, and how it affects you. It’s about knowing those things and then being intentional about your choices.
Making conscious choices about what you watch is key to avoiding negative effects. For some, that might mean steering clear of horror flicks, while for others, it could be tuning out the news. Whatever it is, it’s worth taking the time to make sure what you’re watching won’t up your stress levels.
When it comes to news, unless you are a journalist, you should be mindful of how much you’re taking in. It’s important to stay informed, but too much news can be overwhelming and leave you feeling anxious. A 24/7 global news cycle is too much for most of us to handle.
I set myself a rule that if my sleep pattern isn’t as good as I want it to be, then there’s no watching or reading news after 9pm. It helps me to avoid the overthinking that prevents me dropping off to sleep easily.
Likewise, too much time on social media can have a negative impact on our mental health, so it’s important to keep our usage in check. On average, we spend 147 minutes each day on social media. Need to find extra time in your day? Here’s one place you can look. A handy rule of thumb: whenever you feel social media is causing you to feel bad about yourself or someone else, shut it off and find something else to do.
Cutting back on your media consumption can be a huge help in simplifying your life and freeing up your time. It will also bring you more of that priceless inner peace you want. Taking control of what you watch, listen to, and read can really make a difference in your life and give you the chance to do what you really love.