It’s helped our species survive for centuries.

But now, in the digital age, the sheer amount of information we have access to has skyrocketed.

And as we consume news at an increasingly rapid rate, our minds and bodies are affected.

man reading the news

seb_ra / Getty Images

So, how can we manage?

Is it selfish to cut ourselves off?

Is ignorance really bliss?

Experts say balance is the key.

It’s almost unavoidable.

News will find you even if you’re not looking for it."

Raffaello Antonino, PsyD

News will find you even if you’re not looking for it.

But it’s all about balance.

If you’re someone who cares, Ballard doesn’t recommend trying to make yourself not care.

Rather, find the middle ground.

“Caring is part of what makes us good humans,” Ballard says.

She points to the example of the news regarding the Russian invasion of the Ukraine.

Time limits on news consumption are helpful in any context.

Set a timer if you have to.

Consider also the time of day you watch or read news.

Licensed clinical social workerNatasha Bryant, LCSWrecommends using your emotional responses to news as a guide to setting boundaries.

For example, if push notifications popping up on your phone lead to heightened anxiety, turn them off.

It’s just as important to give yourself the time and space to process the information afterward.

Journaling or discussing what you’ve seen or heard with friends can be helpful.

Completely closing yourself off from the world around you might be isolating and even dangerous.

Gauge your emotional responses to the news and set boundaries accordingly.

Harvard Health.Understanding the stress response.

Kossek EE.Managing work-life boundaries in the digital age.Organizational Dynamics.

2016;45(3):258-270. doi:10.1016/j.orgdyn.2016.07.010