Northern Reflections on Health

Unimpressed by the press

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unimpressed by the mediaThe 24-hour news cycle makes it tough to get away from the multi-media frenzy that feeds non-stop it seems, on political pundits’ opinions or the latest global health hazard. And confusion can abound now between what is true and not – adding new lexicon such as “alternative facts”!

Add to that turmoil our current cloudy and cold days; and, mental health experts warn that all this can have significant effects on our mental and physical well-being.

While I’ve read helpful tips from mental health advocates that include taking breaks from the barrage of news to look for good headlines, I’ve found it important to reach out and help others who may feel vulnerable in the midst of this tumult.

Christian reformer Mary Baker Eddy recognized how the media of the day could influence our health. Continue Reading

Are you digesting the news in a healthy way?

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BLD019542Contemporary reporting feeds us with death, disaster, and the latest health hazard. Satellites have opened the airwaves to almost immediate visual record of what is happening throughout the world.

It’s important to consider how digesting such a news diet affects us.

In a TED talk, economist JP Rangaswami compared the health effects of news consumption to those of eating only fast food. He referred to the movie ‘Supersize Me’ where such consumption proved unhealthy.

No doubt there is an ethical dilemma here – telling the news in a compelling manner and in a competitive environment– but toning down the theatrics or sensationalism.

We all wish to keep informed of local and world events, but a constant diet of negative news stories would have us wrongly believe that a higher ratio of bad things happen than good, and that we are vulnerable to these bad things.Continue Reading