STOP WATCHING
www.icenimagazine.co.uk
Issue 91 2020
Stop Watching The News How You’re Attacking Your Own Immune System This may be an unpopular article this month but one that I feel needs speaking up about. One of the biggest things we can do for our health, happiness and, yes, immune system right now is to stop watching the news. I don’t just mean watching the news ‘programme’ on TV, but so many are looking at the news app on phones, reading recycled news and opinions on social media, and taking part in posting and sharing views on the current situation. I’m not saying be naïve to what is going on in the world; absolutely check government websites and information if you are planning to travel (or even just local restrictions for going shopping etc!), but it’s the incessant interruption and fear that’s going to be doing you real harm (far more harm that what a lot of us are worried about at the moment).
When we watch the news our bodies don’t know the difference between actual and perceived danger, so as you read about lockdown, your body goes ‘Uh oh, danger!’ and gets your ready to fight or run away. It floods you with cortisol and other hormones, shutting down your digestion and attacking your immune system (even if you are not consciously aware). I used to watch the news every morning; it was part of my routine. I didn’t know any different. I didn’t know the science; it was something to occupy me while I got ready for work, but I didn’t know all the harm I was doing. I am a highly sensitive person (HSP), and I had huge levels of anxiety, but there I was putting myself into a fearful state before I had even left for work! Learning Positive Psychology and Mindfulness has been life changing. You don’t know what you don’t know, so I hope I can spread some awareness of what is going on here.
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