When I was young (ages ago), three television channels each offered an evening news program. One of those shows and our local newspaper were the sole source of our daily news. If tragedy occurred somewhere in Asia, we might not hear about it for several days.
Today, cable TV and the internet offer instant reporting from around our country and across the globe. This 24/7 deluge of news keeps us better informed and, as a consequence, more stressed. We have no personal control over any of the events but, as members of human society, may feel partially responsible. Unless we are devoid of empathy, we want to participate in solving the uncountable problems facing our planet and our civilization.
In the interest of our emotional and mental health, it is best to limit our exposure to this relentless river of news and to acknowledge our personal limitations. Voting, volunteer work and donations are important tools and behavioral commitments (less energy use, decreased consumption, etc.) are the means of doing our part. Finally, more time in nature's realm helps to reduce stress and to put the world's problems in perspective.
