How to Stay Informed Without Sacrificing Your Mental Health

By Tess Leftwich, MS in Clinical Psychology
Aprill 8, 2025

In today’s world, staying informed is easier than ever—but it can come at a cost to your mental health. Headlines filled with distressing events, relentless breaking news alerts, and an endless scroll of negativity can leave us feeling anxious, hopeless, or overwhelmed. So how do we find the balance between being aware and maintaining our well-being?

Here are some practical, research-backed tips to help you stay in the know, without sacrificing your peace of mind.

1) Set Healthy Boundaries with News Consumption

Limit your intake. Set times during your day to check the news—perhaps once in the morning and/or once in the evening. This can help prevent doomscrolling and keep the news from taking over your day. Additionally, take breaks when needed. If the news becomes too heavy, give yourself permission to step away. Your mental health matters more than being updated every minute. And finally, you could even schedule “worry time.” If you catch yourself ruminating on current events, try setting aside a specific time each day to think or journal about your worries—then shift your focus to other tasks.

2) Choose Reliable, Balanced Sources

Where you get your information can significantly impact how you feel. It’s important to stick to credible news outlets with balanced, factual reporting. It’s also wise to diversify your perspectives. Reading from multiple sources can provide a broader, more nuanced view—and help avoid echo chambers.

3) Seek Out Positive News

Good news isn’t just a nice break—it’s good for your brain.

A growing body of research supports the idea that reading uplifting stories can boost mental health. As one article explains, exposure to positive news stories has been shown to increase optimism and reduce anxiety by reminding us that good things are still happening in the world (IM Wellness, 2025).

That’s where sites like the Good News Network (https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/) come in. From stories of everyday kindness to scientific breakthroughs and community wins, their mission is to bring hope and inspiration into your feed—no doomscrolling required.

4. Practice Mindfulness and Self-Care

Finally, make sure you’re checking in with yourself as often as you check the headlines. Mindfulness techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or even walks can help ground you in the present moment and reduce anxiety. Improve your self-care habits by balancing your media intake with activities that restore you—like connecting with loved ones, exercising, or diving into a creative hobby.

In conclusion, staying informed doesn’t have to mean staying overwhelmed. With intentional habits, mindful choices, and a little help from positive news sources like the Good News Network, you can stay connected to the world around you while still prioritizing your mental health.

Sources:

Good News Network (n.d.). News. https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/category/news/

IM Wellness (2024). Does reading good news improve one’s mental health? https://im-wellness.com/does-reading-good-news-improve-ones-mental-health/

West Coast Anxiety (2024). Mindful media: Balancing news exposure with mental health. https://westcoastanxiety.com/mindful-media-balancing-news-exposure-with-mental-health/

Tess Leftwich, MS in Clinical Psychology

My name is Tess Leftwich, and I am an intern currently pursuing my graduate degree in clinical psychology. I’m dedicated to helping individuals through the struggles of life we all face. While I may not have years of experience yet, my family background and education allow me to bring a fresh perspective and a deep commitment to supporting my clients in their journeys. I hope to help clients with depression, anxiety, PTSD, relationship problems, and life transitions, among other areas as I continue to learn and grow my expertise. My approach is client-centered and eclectic, allowing me to tailor my techniques to meet the unique needs of each person I work with. I am passionate about creating a supportive and nonjudgmental environment where growth and healing can thrive!

Nexus Counseling Services, LLC
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