Do you know someone who’s decided to stop reading the news? Perhaps you are close to it yourself. It’s happening to more and more people. A few months ago, I had this conversation with someone who had decided to take a news hiatus.
“Why do we need to read it?” was the question he posed to me.
I have to admit I couldn’t snap back with a hard-line reply. “Because it’s important to know what’s going on, and so we can know how to vote, and what the issues are,” I said, pretty lamely. I don’t think he was convinced, or else he was probing for a better response.
“Sure. I agree. But why do we need to know the issues? What does it get us but stress and anger?”
I knew he was right, in a way.
Because, after all, what’s your biggest takeaway from the news? Stress? Depression? Heartburn? The realization that our country is going to the dogs? Right there are red flags that you might need to change your outlook.
WHY WE READ IT
First of all, why?
Okay, so you decide to shut yourself up and never look at the news. That’s great, because you won’t be stressed anymore. Right? Right, but neither will you know what sort of country or world you live in.
Thomas Jefferson once wrote quite determinedly that if he were to chose between a government with no newspapers, or newspapers with no government, he’d take the news. Why? Because information is knowing your freedoms.
Think about some of the most powerful classic films of Old Hollywood: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Meet John Doe, Citizen Kane. All three of them have one subject in common, which is the power of the media and how important it is that citizens have access to information.
Sure, “the media” is now a byword of ridicule among us. But there are many, many good news sites that are willingly bringing the news to you. Simply put, it’s our duty as a citizen to stay informed. Period. And it’s definitely our duty as voters.
HOW TO READ IT
Skim through the headlines on a new site, taking it all in as a general big picture – sort of an aerial view. Then double back and read the articles that seem to have the most urgent bearing on you and the nation.
Depending on how much time you have to spare, whether it’s five minutes or an hour, filter your intake of news. If you only have a couple of minutes, it would be best to read a general news article rather than opinion, or very specific articles. The more time you have, the more you will be able to follow different issues in depth.
Also, the more you read, the more you will be able to adjust to what you should rule out. While entertainment news is tempting, it’s rarely important. You’ll get more out of reading regular news than the distractions of what Taylor Swift is doing. Learn to recognize relevant stories from the not-so-relevant.
For those of you who have little to zero interest in politics, it can understandably be harder to concentrate. To hold your interest, you might choose a news platform that implements multiple photos in their articles; or, try listening to short news segments. Some platforms offer daily news summaries via e-mail, which are quick to read and are fairly comprehensive.
The most important thing is to be at least aware of the major happenings, even if you don’t know all of the details. Awareness is a great first step.
BEAT THE STRESS
Newsflash: You don’t always have to feel prone to a heart attack whenever you read the news. Remember that millions of Americans are going through the infamously stressful ritual of coffee and news, right along with you, every day.
Nevertheless, here are some tips for beating that stress:
- There’s more good news out there than we think. In all actuality we are so primed to thinking of it all as bad (we even take that fact for granted), that we start seeing even the good news with a critical eye. Know that good is always there, even when there is an attempt to suppress it.
- Yes, the media is a strong force built up to be thought of as an indestructible wall of information that cannot be questioned. But remember: Their opinion doesn’t have to be your opinion. You can question the media’s take on things. It’s healthy to do your own thinking . . . and your own homework.
- Make your last read a nice one! Find a piece of good news to read last of all.
- Listen to music (instrumental, such as jazz or classical) while you read.
- Keep in mind that God is in control. He works all things for His glory and our good.
