It feels like the more we try to inform ourselves in today’s world, the more uncertainty we drive into our lives.
Millions of people all over the world are starting to realize this. With good intentions, we try to inform ourselves because we seek certainty. However, the more news we consume, the more stressed we get about the current state of the world.
Why does this happen, and how can we conquer it?
We all know how stress feels. It is a state of tension that is definitely not comfortable. That is by design because it stimulates us to act and to pay attention. At the same time, we all know that too much stress, like before you have to give a big presentation, can cause us to freeze as well. Stress changes us physically like a pounding heart, mentally like reoccurring scary thoughts, or a combination of it. So, stress is a reaction to our environment. But how do our bodies know what to react to?
So, our brains are constantly scanning the environment for threats. That is why we react by screaming to a friend that likes to scare us. It was the brain that detected a threat and responded by screaming and probably running away. Every time the brain makes a scan, it goes through an assessment process that psychologists call cognitive appraisal, and it has two goals. The first one is, are there any threats that threaten my well-being? And second, do I have enough resources and skills to overcome that threat? So, whether we read the news or see a lion in our backyard, the brain goes through the same process.
The first step is called primary appraisal, and the brain seeks answers to question as, “What does this situation mean to me?” and “Will I be okay or in trouble?” and it will report back one of three judgments:
The first one is I know this situation, and it is okay. I know the person that is walking towards me, or when my boss is yelling at me, I know he is just overwhelmed and needs some space. The brain stops its process and starts scanning the environment again.
The second judgment can be it is probably okay. I have that dentist’s appointment or that work meeting, and I want to skip or postpone it, but it is probably going to be alright. The brain stops its process and starts scanning the environment again.
The last judgment is I am scared. Unfamiliar situation and maybe life-threatening. When the condition is flagged as stressful, the brain is going to investigate even more, and it will report back one of two judgments:
- It is a threat. Like a stack of unpaid bills, loss of a job, or pain.
- It is going to be a challenge. An opportunity to learn or grow like learning a new skill or the first days on a new job.
When your brain is done investigating and flagged the situation as a treat or challenge, it is going to step two that is called secondary appraisal. It is going to asses the resources that we have available to deal with this threat or challenge. This is very important. The amount of stress is the gap between your resources and the amount of perceived resources needed to deal with the threat or challenge. So, how much stress you have is the result of a simple calculation, and a lot of times, this calculation is off. Let me explain why you get more stress if you consume more news.
Every time you consume news, the brain has to go through this whole process of assessing the situation. News is by design, never familiar because otherwise, it would not be news. So, news always triggers the judgment I am scared, or it is probably going to be okay. Because of this, it has to assess the resources available to deal with this situation. If you consume enough news, there are always going to be more situations you need to allocate resources for than you have resources, and as a result, it creates stress.
That is why people started to collect resources as a means to reduce stress. The more news you consume, the more conflicting stories you expose yourself to. As a result, the uncertainty of how much resources you need increases stress.
The amount of stress is also caused by your personality. Calmer people are generally more likely to think they have more resources than people that are prone to anxiety. That is why they are more peaceful and less stressed. Mindfulness is an excellent way of reducing stress, why? Because by being in the present moment, you eliminate the question of the resources that are based on projecting the future.
So, how can we conquer stress? First of all, stop consuming so much news. Get your information from one source that you trust. By doing this, you eliminate conflicting information. Secondly, work on your resources. I do not mean to buy all the toilet paper you can find. I mean, work on your health and strengthening your immune system. Eat right and make sleep a priority. So, if you are really stressed about the current state of the word. Ask yourself, do I take care of myself because if the answer is no, then that is the reason behind your stress level.
If you are stressed about other things like doing a presentation, then work on your presentation skills and if you need to decrease stress right now, just ask yourself did my brain do the calculation, right? Because it is probably less scary than you think it is. Also, the moment you start believing in yourself, the world will become a lot less scary.
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Last modified: January 5, 2021
