Is reading the news and / or being consumed with politics bad for your health? (1 Viewer)

[JohnnyU]

My wife often asks me, "why do you read that stuff if it upsets you?".  One has to wonder what are the long term health repercussions that are brought on by the stress of reading bad news or being consumed by politics.

She then asked a friend of mine at a party, "Do you do that?".  Jerry responded no, he doesn't.   Other than health problems caused by this,  if constantly consuming bad news and politics causing you to be less productive in your life?  I guess we could say that about anything, such as spending too much time on message boards, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc..  All of those things can cause you to be less productive, but constantly reading and discussing news, especially politics, could cause you a lot of harm health wise.  I'm sure there are articles out there discussing this very topic.

 

[KCitons]

Only if you're a Trump supporter. 

You can control what you do with your life every day. If it bothers you, change it. If you can't change it, don't let it bother you.

 

[JohnnyU]

Only if you're a Trump supporter. 

You can control what you do with your life every day. If it bothers you, change it. If you can't change it, don't let it bother you.

We both know it applies to both sides of the isle.  I'd be willing to bet a lot of what's talked about in this forum is very stressful to supporters of the left and right.  Same goes for just reading the news constantly.  We have to admit most of what we read is negative in nature.  I often wonder how that can be healthy?  I'd also be willing to bet that those who do not do this have less stress in their life.

 

[Kal El]

I generally avoid too much news and politics, because my life is much nicer without all that negativity. In fact, I'm just here to educate myself on the biggest political story of the past few years.

 

[KCitons]

We both know it applies to both sides of the isle.  I'd be willing to bet a lot of what's talked about in this forum is very stressful to supporters of the left and right.  Same goes for just reading the news constantly.  We have to admit most of what we read is negative in nature.  I often wonder how that can be healthy?  I'd also be willing to bet that those who do not do this have less stress in their life.

I don't know. I have a feeling that you're looking at it from your side right now. One side has been very unhappy for over two years. For the most part Republicans have been happy. Now the Dems have something to be happy about, even though they had to start impeachment proceedings to get there. 

In the scope of everything, I think you are giving more credit to what's happening in DC being a factor on the stress in people's lives. They have bills, jobs, kids, health care, mass shootings, global warming, etc that effect them on a daily basis. This is a blip on their daily radar because they can't effect the outcome. 

The negative slant is something we've been dealing with for some time. Negative media and tragedy sells. 

 

[dozer]

Can you post an example of an article that has upset you?

 

[JohnnyU]

Can you post an example of an article that has upset you?

Don't feel like digging them up, but such things as mass shootings, horrible accidents that kill a group of 6 (local news), then dwelling on it longer than I want to.  As for politics, an example would be the times every time Trump tried to institute some immigration legislation the 9th circuit would always try and shoot it down.  Thankfully that's changing lately, thanks to supreme court.  I just don't think this is healthy for an individual, to sit and worry about all the problems with the country.

 

[KCitons]

Don't feel like digging them up, but such things as mass shootings, horrible accidents that kill a group of 6 (local news), then dwelling on it longer than I want to.  As for politics, an example would be the times every time Trump tried to institute some immigration legislation the 9th circuit would always try and shoot it down.  Thankfully that's changing lately, thanks to supreme court.  I just don't think this is healthy for an individual, to sit and worry about all the problems with the country.

Then don't. I know that seems simple. But, your day to day life has not impact on many things. Do you worry about the homeless vet that's wandering the streets a couple of blocks away? Take him something to eat and see what you can do to help him. Do you worry about the kid next door that lost his father a couple of years ago? Take him fishing or to a ball game. Or just play catch with him. 

The point is, you're shouldering the worlds problems. That's unhealthy just in the approach. Find ways to make a difference on a micro level. You won't have time to worry about the rest. 

 

[JohnnyU]

Then don't. I know that seems simple. But, your day to day life has not impact on many things. Do you worry about the homeless vet that's wandering the streets a couple of blocks away? Take him something to eat and see what you can do to help him. Do you worry about the kid next door that lost his father a couple of years ago? Take him fishing or to a ball game. Or just play catch with him. 

The point is, you're shouldering the worlds problems. That's unhealthy just in the approach. Find ways to make a difference on a micro level. You won't have time to worry about the rest. 

Easier said than done when you're posting in a political forum and constantly reading the news, which is bad most of the time.  I believe a person has to separate themselves from that if they truly don't want it affecting them, both mentally and physically.

 

[KCitons]

Easier said than done when you're posting in a political forum and constantly reading the news, which is bad most of the time.  I believe a person has to separate themselves from that if they truly don't want it affecting them, both mentally and physically.

I'd like to help. But, can only think of a couple of ways to do that.

1. Don't spend any time in the PSF. Spend your time in the Shark Pool or the FFA. I started a thread a couple of years ago asking for "good news". Maybe it's time to revive that. 

2. If you don't have the self control to stay out of the PSF, you can take a personal attack at me and I'm sure someone will report you. Maybe a forced timeout is just what you need? (I'm only half joking about this option) I'm short, fat and bald. That should give you some ammo to work with.

 

[timschochet]

Couldn’t the same question be asked about sports teams? 

I’m a diehard Steelers fan. The last year and this one have been extremely frustrating. During close games I feel my heart race more than I would at nearly any political event, and after a bad loss (like week 1 to the hated Patriots) I feel really down for a couple days. I know it’s just a stupid football game but I can’t help how I feel. And here I thought it was supposed to be stress relief. 

 

[JohnnyU]

Couldn’t the same question be asked about sports teams? 

I’m a diehard Steelers fan. The last year and this one have been extremely frustrating. During close games I feel my heart race more than I would at nearly any political event, and after a bad loss (like week 1 to the hated Patriots) I feel really down for a couple days. I know it’s just a stupid football game but I can’t help how I feel. And here I thought it was supposed to be stress relief. 

I seem to have an easy time getting over bad losses of my sports teams.  My wife once told me that I'm a better loser than winner. 

 

[timschochet]

I seem to have an easy time getting over bad losses of my sports teams.  My wife once told me that I'm a better loser than winner. 

That’s because, being a Colts fan, you have lots of experience, lol. 

 

[JohnnyU]

That’s because, being a Colts fan, you have lots of experience, lol. 

Historically there have been a lot more bad teams than the Colts, both in ancient times and recent times.  It's never all good with teams, except for the Patriots :(

 

[McJose]

My wife often asks me, "why do you read that stuff if it upsets you?". 

“Somebody needs to keep their finger on the pulse of the American people!”

 

[KCitons]

Historically there have been a lot more bad teams than the Colts, both in ancient times and recent times.  It's never all good with teams, except for the Patriots :(

If it makes you feel any better, when the Bears lost to the Colts in the Superbowl, I didn't read, listen, or do anything that had to do with football. 

But look at me know. Everything's going gre..........

 

[supermike80]

When people are passionate about things this can happen.

I'll never be that passionate about politics but I know many are.  

 

[KCitons]

When people are passionate about things this can happen.

I'll never be that passionate about politics but I know many are.  

Ever notice that people seem to be most passionate about things they can't change?

 

[Long Ball Larry]

I don't know that I would get that specific regarding politics and news, but I think that the amount of information that most take in daily is often unhealthy and keeps people in a rather suboptimal state.

 

[supermike80]

Ever notice that people seem to be most passionate about things they can't change?

Not really.  Passion can take lots of forms, and wanting change isn't one of the top items I would say drives passion.  So no

 

[KCitons]

Not really.  Passion can take lots of forms, and wanting change isn't one of the top items I would say drives passion.  So no

I'm passionate that you are wrong. 

 

[supermike80]

I'm passionate that you are wrong. 

Woop woop!

 

[E Street Brat]

Don't feel like digging them up, but such things as mass shootings, horrible accidents that kill a group of 6 (local news), then dwelling on it longer than I want to.  As for politics, an example would be the times every time Trump tried to institute some immigration legislation the 9th circuit would always try and shoot it down.  Thankfully that's changing lately, thanks to supreme court.  I just don't think this is healthy for an individual, to sit and worry about all the problems with the country.

That's exactly what the Libs  The Repubs   both parties  want, Don't worry. They will take care of you, They will tell you whats right and wrong, Just go to work, hand over your tax dollars and watch The Real Houswives of ####hole America from your ####hole house in your ####hole city every night, 

 

[Terminalxylem]

Most of the people I know who are into politics are unhealthy, though I don’t necessarily think it’s cause and effect. I gave up paying attention to the news years ago.

 

[msommer]

So, somehow it is better not to deal with reality?

 

[lod001]

Only if you are a Trump hater. Those peoples' arteries are hardening at a faster than normal rate because of all the pent up hatred they have.

 

[Terminalxylem]

So, somehow it is better not to deal with reality?

There’s plenty of reality outside of politics, and the news. As it turns out, doing my job well, hanging out with my wife and friends, and keeping healthy use up most of my time. The rest is devoted to travel and non-stressful hobbies.

 

[shader]

Only if you're a Trump supporter. 

You can control what you do with your life every day. If it bothers you, change it. If you can't change it, don't let it bother you.

Cmon man. I strongly disagree.  I think there are many anti-Trump folks who are so consumed with him and his idiocy that it’s bad for their health.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Couldn’t the same question be asked about sports teams? 

I’m a diehard Steelers fan. The last year and this one have been extremely frustrating. During close games I feel my heart race more than I would at nearly any political event, and after a bad loss (like week 1 to the hated Patriots) I feel really down for a couple days. I know it’s just a stupid football game but I can’t help how I feel. And here I thought it was supposed to be stress relief. 

I know exactly how you feel.  When the Bills are irrelevant (which is to say, most of the time) I don't get too terribly invested in their games.  But when they matter, I feel physically ill most of Sunday morning, get all worked up during the game, and then I'm either euphoric or down in the dumps after the game and pretty much all day on Monday.  That can't possibly be healthy, but it's sort of out of my control, and hey it only happens 16 times a year.  (I'm told that some teams play more than 16 games per season, but as a Buffalo fan I wouldn't know anything about that).

Now imagine that every day of your life is like that, only it's driven by whatever is trending on social media.  I'm completely convinced that there are people out there who are literally driving themselves crazy over politics.  

 

[msommer]

There’s plenty of reality outside of politics, and the news. As it turns out, doing my job well, hanging out with my wife and friends, and keeping healthy use up most of my time. The rest is devoted to travel and non-stressful hobbies.

You do you. Remember not to complain about the state of the healthcare system and/r any other political topic

 

[Terminalxylem]

You do you. Remember not to complain about the state of the healthcare system and/r any other political topic

So you believe consuming more news/taking more interest in politics gives one more right to complain about it?

And I work in healthcare, so it’s much more than just politics to me.

 

[timschochet]

So you believe consuming more news/taking more interest in politics gives one more right to complain about it?

And I work in healthcare, so it’s much more than just politics to me.

I disagree with msommer here. You have just as much right to offer input as the rest of us no matter how little attention you pay to politics on a regular basis. 

If, as a result of not paying attention, your opinion on any given subject is uninformed (obviously in your case that would exclude healthcare) that’s a different issue. 

 

[msommer]

So you believe consuming more news/taking more interest in politics gives one more right to complain about it?

And I work in healthcare, so it’s much more than just politics to me.

Taking more interest inpolitics informs your opinion and should give you better overview on the stance and track record of politicians influencing the direction of the country.

That you work in health care should give you an incentive to be interested in the direction of health care overall and as it impacts your job.

If you let everyone else decide the direction of things you should not be entitled to ##### about things later.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Taking more interest inpolitics informs your opinion and should give you better overview on the stance and track record of politicians influencing the direction of the country.

I've come around to the view that this is the opposite of the truth.  My guess is that for most people, "taking an interest in politics" turns them into the political equivalent of the worst sports fans.  These are people who may understand football extremely well, but they lose anything resembling objectivity when their own team is involved.  That's the equivalent of getting dumber and less informed.

 

[Terminalxylem]

I disagree with msommer here. You have just as much right to offer input as the rest of us no matter how little attention you pay to politics on a regular basis. 

If, as a result of not paying attention, your opinion on any given subject is uninformed (obviously in your case that would exclude healthcare) that’s a different issue. 

With the internet and critical reasoning, it isn’t too difficult to get up to speed. That being said, I try not to comment on topics about which I know little.

But I strongly disagree that one must follow politics closely to offer their opinion on most issues.

 

[msommer]

I've come around to the view that this is the opposite of the truth.  My guess is that for most people, "taking an interest in politics" turns them into the political equivalent of the worst sports fans.  These are people who may understand football extremely well, but they lose anything resembling objectivity when their own team is involved.  That's the equivalent of getting dumber and less informed.

Perhaps this is so in your country. You should really fix it if you want a repeat of the popukist type presidency down the line

 

[Terminalxylem]

Taking more interest inpolitics informs your opinion and should give you better overview on the stance and track record of politicians influencing the direction of the country.

That you work in health care should give you an incentive to be interested in the direction of health care overall and as it impacts your job.

If you let everyone else decide the direction of things you should not be entitled to ##### about things later.

Sorry, I didn’t realize I was complaining about the state of healthcare, or any issue, for that matter.

I was just trying to point out one can have a fulfilling existence, perhaps even a happier/healthier one, if they don’t get caught up in the day-to-day political/news drivel.

 

[Da Guru]

I stopped watching all cable news 4-5 years ago.  My local news just gives quick updates and then on the next story. Hardly anyone in my day to day life ever talks politics. The majority of the politic talk I see is from the 25-30 guys in the PSF here. As I have grown older I have become disillusioned with both parties we have to offer. 

I do pay a little more attention to my local political stuff.