My {not so healthy} addiction to the news

My addiction with news started when I was really young.  For some reason on Saturday mornings I would go downstairs and watch the news. Instead of being a traditional child TV watcher and watch cartoons I would watch the news.  I remember being glued to the TV when Princess Diana died in 1997….I was 11. When I would spend the night at my grandmothers I would watch the 6, 7 and 11 o’clock news with her.  It is what we did.

Like every person living in America (and surrounding countries) I was attached to the News on September 11th.  I came home from school early and watched the News until there was no more news to watch.  I couldn’t sleep because I was concerned that I wouldn’t be informed of what was happening. What if something changed? What if there were more places that we effected?  I had to watch the News to know. So obsessively I watched the news.

Now, at 26, I watch the News every night.  If I am home I start watching the news at 4pm and it is on until 7pm.  It repeats the same stories, but I have to watch.  And then I watch again at 11.

I didn’t think there was anything odd about this.  And then I was direct messaging with someone yesterday after a “fun” little panic attack about Print dying triggered by a store of a young boy dying after a basketball practice. She simply asked “why are you watching the news?”  At first I was defensive….”it’s what I do…”

As I thought about it, the news really does evoke anxiety in me.  I often worry that Print will die.  I worry about a car accident or robbery.  I can see myself like the old A&E show obsessed and never leaving the house.

Yesterday, for the first time in a long time I didn’t watch the normal news shows I watch.  I only watched the 6-7pm news.  I plan on cutting the news almost out of my media diet in hopes to lessen my anxiety on a daily basis, but cold turkey doesn’t feel right.

I have been someone that has defined myself by what I know.  I watch and listen to the news almost constantly.  I follow journalists on twitter (which I will continue to do because I like to be informed) but I will swiftly cut back on the news i consume…why?  Because my mental health is a lot more important than what I know.

So, here goes….giving up my {not so healthy} addiction to the news….

Do you consume the news like me?  Or do you tend to stay away from it?