Informational fast food is harmful to both physical and mental health. It is difficult to refuse it, because we are used to constantly reading the news, using unconfirmed information, believing what we read and what we see. Are there ways to protect against information debris?
Every food you eat affects the functioning of your body. The same happens when choosing books, articles, films and videos. Not many people feel the negative effects on the brain of literary junk, which is equivalent to fast food. Bad food does not immediately lead to negative consequences in the body, but with an increase in its consumption, you can face diseases that you did not have to think about before.
It doesn't matter what news you read: it can cause resistance or disgust, feelings of joy or pride. Any emotion leads to the fact that your brain begins to process the information received. Is there a way to protect yourself from information fast food or noise?
Study only official sources and statistics, look for positive information
If there is no way to completely disconnect from studying the news, you should not waste your time on speculation, hypotheses, unsubstantiated fictions. From them it will not become easier for anyone. Refer to statistics, perhaps your fears and anxieties are greatly exaggerated. For example, the coronavirus causes panic in many, one can believe in "horror stories" about the extraterrestrial origin of COVID-19, about the purge of humanity. If you believe the statistics: 80% of patients recover without special treatment. Scientists believe that the new infection will join the already known coronaviruses and become one of the causes of ARVI. Try to assess the reliability and importance of the information for yourself.
Try the info diet
Get information in small chunks. Refuse unnecessary subscriptions and install an ad blocker. The latter will help protect against news teasers. Each program in the smartphone sends its own notifications. Refusing them will free up some of the time.
The info diet includes:
- reducing the frequency of viewing news;
- using only verified media;
- rejection of social networks and messengers;
- decreased communication on troubling topics.
A healthy information diet involves setting limits on how you can get information. Decide for yourself how much time you are willing to spend on bulletins, news, and more. This will allow you to painlessly get out of the trap of empty information.
Try to study history instead of news. The latter discards the minor details that make up our daily news. Check your email no more than twice a day, unless it is related to your job.
The remaining informational fast food will not harm you if you learn to sort the information, you will calmly treat everything you hear or read. Define a circle of interests for yourself, do not waste your energy on information from bright sites-hawkers. Stop watching TV for a while. Want to watch an interesting movie? Choose a site where it can be done without advertising or with a minimum of it.
Another way to isolate yourself from information waste is to periodically spend time in seclusion. While you are walking in the woods or working in the country, nothing terrible will happen in the world. Sometimes a few hours is enough to restore your own strength and process the information already received during the day.
