Unpacking the Pandemic: Question #2 How do you “feel” about the media?
How do you “feel” about the media?
How does the media interact with trauma responses in people?
I stopped watching the news about 20 years ago, and it changed my life. I found it so traumatizing and difficult to follow. Upon reflection of what I was hearing and seeing I realized it tapped into every core wound I had regarding safety and trust, violence, and racism. It bombarded me with all the issues about the economy, the constant political adversity, images of war and killing the terrible storms that were predicted. I wasn’t finding anything that was solution oriented, it all either created or focused on problems. And that is what the debate and political climate amplify for me.
According to the news and the presidential debate have a lot of problems. I often wonder if it is because our brain is wired with a negativity bias? However, when we evolve out of fear we can become more solution oriented. And there are an infinite amount of solutions!
“Healing helps me to try to figure out what makes me feel whole and full of love. “
I realized that for many years I was attracted to negativity and sad things and thinking it was my job to take care of people. I now realize that in my life there have been many sad things and there will naturally be more. But perhaps it doesn’t have to be so negative and dramatic. It’s like walking to the edge of a cliff and seeing a whole other world out there. By not being boxed into what I am hearing other people say the “reality” is. I can and do create my own reality.
When people I know die or get hurt, I find out about from family and friends. I feel genuinely sad. I don’t need to find out on the news. A quote I heard by Louise Hay:
“Everything I need to know is revealed to me.”
Now I notice when I am trying to control things by looking for information.
In my experience our society is defined by the news instead of what is actually going on in our families and communities. If attention is focused on what is going on all over the world, are we present for what is happening in our own lives. Is the dramatic presentation of the news more interesting ? Unfortunately, our brains are wired to react to fear that what happens on the news can happen to them due to our negativity bias.
One strategy I have developed for coping and adapting to the prevalence of negative news is to become my own newscaster and rewrite what I hear into information that keeps me curious and informed rather than in fear. Here is an example:
Dr Olsterholm, is an Infectious Disease “Detective” - In a recent podcast which I attempted to listen to, I was amazed at the fearful language used in the opening statements. I personally felt like I was in a scary movie.
Here are the first sentences:
Its November 12th and in nearly every state in the nation the Covid 19 Pandemic is “raging”, continuing to break records for new daily “cases” pushing hospitals to the brink and adding to the already substantial death toll while the American public has been caught up in the Presidential election and it’s aftermath, the Corona Virus “forest fire” has continued to burn through homes schools restaurants and workplaces and there appears to be no end in sight.”
How do those words feel in your body? Take a deep breath, and feel that …
Try this version, of the same information: Let’s state some facts without the drama.
It’s November 12th and in some states (let’s list the data) the COVID 19 Pandemic continues. ( I am not sure how it can break records, as there has never been another COVID 19 Pandemic.)
There has been an increase in the number of tests given and the number of positive results. However, there are different tests given for different reasons and we are not clear about who is being tested with which test and why. Some people are getting tested with no symptoms so they can travel or work, some are getting tested because they have flu like symptoms. Each day we are learning more about how to respond to the positive test results and how valid the testing actually is.
By staying calm and healthy people can keep the numbers low. Staying connected with loved ones is key to building a healthy immune system. Checking on our elderly is essential during this time. This is also a wonderful time to focus on improving your health and habits of wellbeing. If you need free support with that you can contact the Center for Dis - Ease, Compassion and Health (CDC-H).
In the state of Maine, where I live, “The total number of COVID-19 inpatients statewide Friday stood at 66, eclipsing the previous high of 60 on May 26, though the number of intensive care patients was lower: 18 as opposed to 21 - according tot he Portland Press on November 13th.”
In Maine 2 more people in their 90s died who had tested positive with COVID - 19. The also had other illnesses. One passed away peacefully in her home according to the local newspaper.
Comparing the Pandemic to a “forest fire” in the wake of California and Colorado’s fires is cruel. When people visualize threats they have a physical reaction in their brain, just like watching a scary movie. It is a form of trauma.
Finally, saying “there is no end in sight” is projecting hopelessness into the future. I think this is preying on the vulnerable people who are prone to negative thinking due to previous unhealed trauma, depression and anxiety. After many years of healing I have finally learned to recognize these situations.
So how did the re-writing of the news feel in your body?
What are you worried about when you hear the news?
What makes you feel good when you watch the news?
What unhealed trauma might you have that may be triggered by this information?
How do you process the information you hear when you watch or listen to the news?
How are you taking care of yourself during this time?
Feel free to contact me at jessiegrahamcoach@gmail.com