I often feel like I’m teetering on the line between staying informed and setting boundaries
with the news and social media. We’re surrounded by a constant stream of information,
bombarding us at any moment. It’s never been this easy for boundaries to erode.
Repeated, constant exposure to difficult events creates a sense of being “on alert,”
especially when the news directly impacts us, our families, or people we care about. Our
nervous systems weren’t designed to take in crisis after crisis, all day, every day.
This is why it’s so important to think about what it looks like for you to set boundaries with
media. There’s a big difference between ignoring the world around you and setting
intentional limits. Pay attention to what your body is telling you: muscle tension, a
quickened heartbeat, racing thoughts — can all be signals that it’s time to take a break.
Our minds sometimes trick us into thinking that consuming more information will calm the
anxiety, when in reality, it often leaves us feeling more overwhelmed. One boundary that’s
been helpful for me is limiting news consumption for at least an hour before bed. Reading,
writing, watching a lighthearted show, or anything that brings you a sense of calm can give
your mind the break it needs.
Setting boundaries and protecting your mental health does not mean you do not care. Call
your representatives, attend protests, vote, share resources, have conversations. Do what
feels safe and effective for you, while reminding yourself that the weight of the world
doesn’t rest on your shoulders alone.
You’re allowed to care for yourself. And caring for yourself doesn’t mean you don’t care
about the world, it actually allows you to engage with it more fully. Rest is resistance.
When the World Feels Heavy
