By Keith W. Fiveson

In the current age of technology, we can find ourselves flooded by shock, awe, tragedy, and violence. Trauma online is present in our every click and upends the comforts and joys we have taken for granted, including our hopes for the future.

As we open our phones or laptops, we do not have to search far to see videos of mass shootings, war, Images of plane crashes, stories of sexual exploitation, headlines about terrorist attacks, or pictures of the destruction. Instead, we can easily find our daily lives overwhelmed by graphic depictions of trauma and violent events.

This deluge of disturbing content can have a numbing effect on our minds, desensitizing us to the genuine pain and suffering these events cause. Studies have shown that excessive exposure to violence in the media can lead to a decrease in empathy and an increase in aggression. In other words, the more we see violence, the more likely we are to become violent ourselves. So what can we do to protect ourselves from the mind-numbing effects of all this violence?

First, taking breaks from social media and the 24-hour news cycle is essential. When you are overwhelmed with all of your feeds, it can be difficult for us not to want to throw our hands up in frustration at how much information there already is out on these platforms; but if we step away for just 30 minutes or so every day then chances are good that when we return refreshed–we’ll notice less clutter than before!

In addition, with limits such as only checking emails during specific hours (or none), limiting screen time after 7 p.m., and blocking specific sites, we can regain our balance.

Second, there are always good people in the world doing amazing things, and when we hear about something bad happening to someone else, it can be hard not to feel negative. To combat this feeling of negativity, focusing on stories where hope prevails, can help tremendously! Also, there are so many examples of how animals have helped humans happier by just being around them.

Third, you can take care of your mental health by ensuring you’re not exposing yourself to too much violence. If this is the case, then it is important to seek professional help because there may be something wrong with how exposed we’ve been becoming or our desensitization towards them which could lead us down an unhealthy path.

The media has enormous power. We must be mindful of how much violence we see on TV, in movies, or in video games (especially true for kids), as it can damage our minds and our ability to feel and connect.

The more negative imagery there is in the world, the more we suffer from depression and are harmed by thoughts, or even worse, act out and hurt someone else. Remember, hurt people hurt people, and the dark truth about it breeds negative ideas and perpetuates violence and harm.

The technology tracks our every click and feeds us constant reminders. We must be mindful and careful about “click-bait” and get “hooked” on the ongoing onslaught of stories. We must take responsibility for what happens in our hearts, minds, and bodies and feed our eyes and ears with nutritious, compassionate information.

Finally, practice the STOP method for mindful awareness when we are tired and weary.

S is for STOP, move away from the vehicles that drive the insanity.
T is for TAKE a few deep breaths to self-regulate at the moment.
O is for OBSERVE what is happening inside of you and put words to it.
P is for PRACTICE loving-kindness, remembering a person, place, or possession that gives us hope.

The STOP method is a simple breathing technique that can help reduce anxiety levels for those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and trauma.

Learning how to take deep breaths is an excellent way of practicing mindfulness. Mindful practices can help improve our mental health by developing compassion towards ourselves when we struggle with challenging emotions or thoughts. Resisting the trauma of online media begins from the inside out. When we are calm and focused, the mind-body connection can heal the trauma and work its magic.

If you are experiencing trauma, stress, anxiety, burnout, or other mental challenges, please look for assistance. There are specific resources and mindfulness techniques that can help you notice what’s happening right now, reframing and detaching, so you can reduce the “mental chatter” and the negative thinking and get help. Please look here: https://workmindfulness.com/resources/

About the Author: Keith W Fiveson is a Mindfulness-based coach, counselor, and consultant, who works with individuals and organizations to improve resilience and performance. He lives in Port Washington and can be reached at 917-952-9662