Consume news on your terms

✔ LIMIT YOUR INTAKE

Choose quality over quantity. Whether you prefer listening to the news bulletin on the radio, reading a paper each morning or watching the evening news, it’s a good idea to stick to just one means of catching up with the day’s events if you feel like your usual intake of news is getting to you.

✔ CHOOSE A TRUSTED SOURCE

It’s easy to be fooled by fraudulent stories that are written to manipulate us. That’s why it’s so important to opt for a reliable news source such as the BBC and not believe everything we read.

Daria says, “I strongly recommend using different and validated sources. Receiving all news via social media such as Facebook or Twitter will limit the breadth and depth of news reports and potentially expose you to fake news, which is becoming increasingly difficult to differentiate from actual facts.”

✔ OPT FOR HAPPY NEWS

Swap the doom and gloom for stories that will put a smile on your face. There are now many news outlets dedicated to bringing you positive news (see below for examples).

✔ TIME YOUR NEWS READS

Start and end your day newsfree. Lots of us switch the TV or the radio out of habit – instead, read or listen to a book, finish that craft project or have a chat with a positive-thinking friend. “Set aside time each day to do something you enjoy,” says Stephen Buckley.

✔ READ BEYOND THE HEADLINES

Sensationalist headlines are written to spark concern and worry in readers, but this can often cause unnecessary anxiety. A perfect example of this is a health news story with a shocking statistic, but once you read the full story it’s not as bad as you were made to think.

✔ TALK ABOUT THE NEWS

Like with any struggle you may be going through, talking about your feelings can really help you cope with what’s going on and often have a cathartic effect when you’re feeling overwhelmed. The world can feel like a scary place at times, especially if you’re on your own, but it’s important to think positively and appreciate all the good things we have.