Anyone with fibromyalgia (FMS) or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or ME/CFS) knows that stress is one of our greatest enemies. The economic crisis has just about everyone feeling additional stress these days, and that can only mean bad things for us.
While we can't avoid the stress of the economy's actual impact on our lives, there's one thing we can all do to lower our stress right now. This might sound strange coming from a former TV news producer, but I say DON'T WATCH THE NEWS!
In times of national crisis (war, natural disasters, etc.), we turn to the news to stay on top of what's going on. It helps us feel connected, and it's often comforting because we can see what steps are being taken to help. The emergence of 24-hour news stations allows us to immerse ourselves in coverage around the clock, and we do. Fear is a huge driving force in TV news ratings.
Because the TV folks know this - depend on it, even - they use your fear to make you believe that you need them. The longer the fear continues, the better the ratings get. Meanwhile, the constant stream of doom and gloom raises your stress level through the roof.
My first year of FMS was my last year of TV news. During that year, I noticed my symptoms were worse not only after really stressful days, but also after days when the news was especially difficult to deal with emotionally. (Yes, TV news folk do still have emotions! Well, a good 60% of them, anyway.) Now, I rarely watch, and when I do, I frequently feel worse afterward. I scan headlines on my iGoogle homepage, but I rarely click on anything that isn't health related.
Do yourself a favor and turn it off. Maybe watch a local newscast now and then, and just glance over the headlines. You've got enough to worry about without being a victim of fear mongering.
Coming Soon: Finding Free & Low-Cost Prescriptions, How to Cut Health Care Costs
Suggested Reading:
- Better Coping Skills for Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Depression & Anxiety: How They Make Symptoms Worse
- Tai Chi for Stress Relief
Photo © Barros & Barros/Getty Images
Yes, we do get colds and flu. How did I survive the flu epidemic this February in Europe?
At the beginning of December my FMS, CFS, etc. flares started, then lack of sleep, depression, pain, and more pain. Viscious circle.
When my mother died in January, I was not better yet, but I had to go to her funeral.
When I arrived in Warsaw, Poland after 24 horrendous hours of travel, I found that most of my family members had a terrible flu and could barely get out of bed. I was terrified. I had enough.
But for the last year, or so I drink a small cup of warm or hot water and juice of half fresh lemon. I drink it because of sour stomach. But guess what? Everybody around me was sick. I barely had a bit of runny nose. So drink fresh lemon juice every morning to stay free of colds and flu!
Regarding not watching the news, I agree whole heartedly. The computer news shows you headlines so that if there is something you really want to read about, that’s one way to stay abreast of important issues without sitting through all the yada yada yada on TV that can get you all worked up or depressed.
Also, to take it one step further, TV is my tranquilizer. I find shows that relax me if I’m not able to concentrate enough to read. Often old TV shows like Golden Girls, Cheers, MASH, whatever is your favorite, are playing around the clock. If you can record them for when you can’t find anything to watch, so much the better.
Local libraries usually have free movies so you can stock up on your favorite comedies or chic flic FOR FREE.
Netflix offers an $8something a month program where you have limitless ability (no late fees) to watch (one at a time) many old clasics, HBO specials, and you can even tour countries or areas of special interest right here in the USA. I’m waiting for a DVD on touring Hawaii. Always wanted to go there but can’t afford it now.
Absolutely. I haven’t watched TV news for years and this is exactly why! I can’t handle the stress and it affects me both physically and emotionally. I’ve got enough problems already without worrying about things that are completely beyond my control. I can also do without the biased reporting and convenient ignorance of facts, even though that does make more interesting stories.
I totally agree. I tape all my favourite tv shows on vhs tapes and I watch them when I want to and I avoid the news. Whenever I’ve watched the news my mood goes right down and I don’t feel good. I am so sensitive to outside stimulus. My fibro flares right up with negativity and bad news.
I don’t watch the news, nor read the papers because of the very reasons everyone has mentioned here. I obtain the info. I want from the internet. This way I get only what i’m interested in and can pace myself in how much is allowed to ’sink in’ and any given time.
Adrienne,
Once again you’ve hit the nail on the head! I used to be a political wonk, on-the-side activist, but the last six months I haven’t been reading any of the regular news lists I receive. I know who our president is, but not much else that’s happened in the past months.
This is totally unlike me, but I just got so that it was all I could do just to keep myself together and I couldn’t deal with anything else.
When I relax I don’t even read (magazines, newspapers, books, etc.), but just veg and play a mindless game on my cell phone.
Eliminating these outside distractions is just one thing I’ve done to simplify my life. I feel like I’m sort of living in a cocoon, but that’s all I can handle much of the time.
~ Margo