How to Stay Informed (Without Losing Your Mind) in a World That Feels Heavy

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to stay informed in today’s world.

This summer, I spent time back in the United States, and one thing stood out: people don’t talk about what’s happening anymore—at least, not with people who might disagree with them.

I’d be sitting with friends or acquaintances, and the air would feel heavy with unsaid things. It was clear: preserving the relationship was more important than having an honest conversation.

People have stopped talking about their differences, and that worries me.

We seem to live in a world where if you disagree with someone, it means you can’t like them. That’s heartbreaking—and isolating.

Why This Matters to Me

I’ve always been someone who wants to know what’s going on. But I recently realized that for me, staying informed isn’t about being some noble citizen who can handle all the bad news. It’s actually about managing my own anxiety. It’s like, if I know what’s coming, I can prepare my nervous system for the blow.

But here’s the truth: even that has its limits. You can’t control everything, and consuming news without boundaries can turn into a spiral.

The Other Extreme: Disengagement

While I’ve leaned toward “I need to know,” I noticed a trend this summer: so many people told me, “I just can’t look at the news anymore.”

Every time I heard that, my stomach dropped.

Because here’s the hard truth: if we all look away, if we all bury our heads in the sand—then what?

Who’s left to advocate?
Who’s left to hold the line for what matters?

Staying informed is hard. But disengagement is dangerous.

Why We Avoid the News

Here’s where my nervous system lens kicks in: our bodies were not built for a 24/7 news cycle.

Every headline, every breaking story sends a little jolt through your system.

Fight-or-flight wasn’t meant to be triggered by a push notification every 10 minutes. So, of course, our bodies look for an escape.

Some of us doomscroll.
Some of us avoid entirely.

Both are survival strategies. But neither helps us feel grounded or empowered.

The Middle Ground: Stay Informed with Boundaries

What’s the alternative? A middle path.

Here’s what works for me (and what might help you):

1. Set boundaries around news intake

I give myself “news windows.”

I don’t check first thing in the morning, and I avoid it right before bed.

You don’t need a constant drip of stress in your nervous system.

2. Choose your sources intentionally

Avoid rabbit holes. Pick a few trusted sources instead of scrolling endless feeds.

3. Pair news with regulation

When I know I’m going to read about heavy topics, I plan a grounding practice afterward.

I usually read a few articles before my morning workout and then finish with some EFT tapping.

I’ve noticed this helps my body regulate and feel safe again.

4. Find joy like your life depends on it

This might sound cliché, but I think it’s the most important one. This summer, in the middle of political chaos and uncertainty, I spent time with the people who know me best.

We laughed. We went out on the lake. We shared meals that stretched into hours.

And those moments? They were everything. They reminded me that even in a heavy world, there’s still so much good.

What Worries Me Most

Beyond the news itself, what worries me is how these cultural shifts are shaping us. If we stop talking about hard things, if we stop staying informed, if we choose isolation over curiosity—what happens to us as a society? What happens to our ability to care for one another?

Being informed is not just about knowing facts.

It’s about connection.
It’s about empathy.
It’s about showing up for the people most affected by the headlines.

A Nervous System Perspective (For Clinicians)

Let’s be honest: when the world feels like it’s on fire, it’s easy to bring that weight into your work or the therapy room.

You might find yourself distracted by the latest headline, preoccupied with your own fears about the future, or feeling compassion fatigue before the session even begins.

The thing is—your nervous system doesn’t care that you’re “at work.” It cares about safety.

If your body is in a chronic state of threat because of the constant news cycle, your ability to co-regulate with clients drops.

Your presence—your groundedness—is the foundation of the work. If you’re dysregulated, your clients feel it.

This is why regulation isn’t optional. It’s a clinical skill.

Here’s what I remind myself:

1. I can’t change the world before this session.
2. But I can help one nervous system at a time—starting with my own.
3. When I regulate first, I can show up fully for my clients. And that ripple effect matters more than we often realize.
   
   

My Challenge to You

This week, ask yourself:
What’s one way I can stay informed and stay connected—without losing my peace?

And if you’re ready to build the nervous system skills to do this consistently—to stay grounded in a chaotic world—I’d love to support you.

Explore The Groundwork

Your toolkit for short, doable regulation practices that keep you clear, steady, and resilient.

Join The Grounded Clinician

My 8-week program for mental health professionals who want to sustain their work without burning out.

Because staying informed matters.
But so does staying well.

And you don’t have to choose between the two.

Always,
Betsy