Would Not Watching The News On TV For A While Make You Happier?

[MainerMikeBrown]

As we all know, most stories you see on the news on TV are negative. Good news doesn't sell. So if you watch the news a lot, you might get the impression that the world is more negative and violent than it actually is since nice, positive stories often don't make the news highlights.

So with that said, a number of years ago I decided to try a little experiment in which I didn't watch the news hardly at all for a few months to see if doing so would make me happier.

So did it work for me?

Well, actually...no. The reason is because I knew there were just as much violence going on in the world. I just didn't know what the specific headlines were. I knew that just because I stopped watching the news didn't mean the world was going to less violent and negative.

But I'm glad I tried this experiment. And maybe you could try it too in order to lift your spirits some. Just because it didn't work for me doesn't mean it wouldn't work for you.

[lemonspark]

Yeah I think so. I've been trying to keep out the negatives in my life these days and I've been feeling a lot better. I'm sure cutting out the news would have helped me. Although I'm not the type of person to be watching the news anyways.

I agree with you with the fact that there is going to be violence happening in the world, regardless if you watch the news or not. But not having to be reminded of it daily is also a positive.

[JGF87]

I've avoided voluntarily looking at the news for years, since my cynical and catastrophic view of mankind and the world have been destroying me for years. Unfortunately, social media and basic interactions with people have still put these issues in my face every day, so I guess I'll be miserable forever.

[Ponder]

Works for me, I would even suggest going one further and not watch any at all. You see, the advertising is also full with Neurological Influencing BS, not to mention all that reality TV as well.

I think the Social Media aspect is more a reflection and gauge of just how effective "perception management (News, Media, TV, Radio, Billboards, et ecetera ... " is. It's certainly emits just as much static and mostly unhealthy rather than not.

I find after switching it all off ... tolerance levels go back up so that when making a return, one can perhaps get a little enjoyment out of whatever SHOWS - or perhaps see the world more like a Joke and get better entertainment from seeing things as they really are.

At the very least, stop using media that bombards with adds ... go for streaming that allows you to download without the need for BS guides and continual commentary of what you should do next. I find Netflix really great for that kind of approach as too - simply using torrents to get what I choose.

Sadly my wife has returned to watching the News/Morning Entertainment and 24/7 presentations of people telling us what to say, think and how we should react. She claims she can switch off and it's just background noise. Sadly, it has been depression and a breakdown in relations that imo led her back to listening to that crap. Since doing so we have grown even further apart. I'm working on it.

We do much better when watching Netflix ... I know that much to be true. ... quite sad overall when I think of it like that. No matter ... Chin up ... When is comes to mainstream thinking I always switch off, yet have learned to live with streaming. It's what our minds do. Sometimes just allowing it to do what it does but simply change it's direction is enough. That's how I have gone from no more News to living. I would avoid using the word happy. But that's just me.

Once you work out just how brainwashing it all is and why they need to put displays on every wall outside your home ... that will be enough for you to make you switch off. In my case it was what sent my over the edge ... right down to losing the plot by simply having to see adds on the back of a bus.

Excellent topic! http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/yes/winking-thumbs-up-smiley-emoticon.gif Best of luck with whatever show you intend to watch. Just don't stop looking until you find what works for you.

[Anne1221]

JGF, If you walked into my Psychiatrist's office the first thing he would say to you is, "We have to figure out why you have cynical and catastropic views of mankind and the world and what can we do to help you through this so you don't have to be miserable forever."

So there is help out there for you, there was for me, but you have to at least try.

[Ponder]

You don't have to be miserable or cynical to see the world for what it really is. More often than not, those negative terms are projected at those who tell the truth.

[JGF87]

Been seeing therapists weekly for most of my life.

[Ponder]

Seeing a therapist can be helpful, but just like medicine ... reliance can be present a whole new set of problems in itself. Dial it back a little. I've been getting therapy off and on all my life ( Now 47 years old.) I've currently been seeing them once about every six weeks for the last 4 years and now thinking of dialing that back. The only people that can really bring about change is us. Fact is, many of us don't even need to change but work more on accepting ourselves for who we already are and stop listening to others who don't know us at all → especially those who only use textbooks to work us out. "rolls eyes" Sigh & Pfft.

[Kirk]

As we all know, reality can be unpleasant at times.

[JGF87]

Seeing a therapist can be helpful, but just like medicine ... reliance can be present a whole new set of problems in itself. Dial it back a little. I've been getting therapy off and on all my life ( Now 47 years old.) I've currently been seeing them once about every six weeks for the last 4 years and now thinking of dialing that back. The only people that can really bring about change is us. Fact is, many of us don't even need to change but work more on accepting ourselves for who we already are and stop listening to others who don't know us at all → especially those who only use textbooks to work us out. "rolls eyes" Sigh & Pfft.

I've accepted myself after years of self-loathing this past year. Turns out it's made me more miserable than ever now that my depression can devote itself to society full time every day. I have no power to bring change.

As we all know, reality can be unpleasant at times.

Very informative.

[Dahila]

the world is awful and not doubts about it, Humanity in higher sense does not exist anymore. News; all fake, all lies, If you want to get some unbiased news you must deep into internet in a few sources. Tv is as good as garbage, I do not watch it for years, The only news i get is on net but NOOOOOOOOOOt on Facebook , 60% of people get the news on fb , they are manipulated as hell

[Ponder]

the world is awful and not doubts about it, Humanity in higher sense does not exist anymore. News; all fake, all lies, If you want to get some unbiased news you must deep into internet in a few sources. Tv is as good as garbage, I do not watch it for years, The only news i get is on net but NOOOOOOOOOOt on Facebook , 60% of people get the news on fb , they are manipulated as hell

Beautifully put. :)

[Ponder]

I've accepted myself after years of self-loathing this past year. Turns out it's made me more miserable than ever now that my depression can devote itself to society full time every day. I have no power to bring change.


Very informative.
Once explored, its not so depressive and the power for change is impressive.

[salvator here]

the world is awful and not doubts about it, Humanity in higher sense does not exist anymore. News; all fake, all lies, If you want to get some unbiased news you must deep into internet in a few sources. Tv is as good as garbage, I do not watch it for years, The only news i get is on net but NOOOOOOOOOOt on Facebook , 60% of people get the news on fb , they are manipulated as hellI agree! I've somewhat lost faith in humanity; I wish I was wrong. Its so hard to find unbiased news these day, especially in the states, I have to pick a certain time of the day to catch the news when I can brace myself for the ugliness. Its a tough balance though, because I do want to stay informed in case of something serious, but I have to filter it as best as possible. Here in the states, It's mostly political propaganda every day now and lies lies lies and people thrive seem on this now. They want to keep us in perpetual panic mode. It was just a few days ago I was reading that bullying (both adolescent and adult) are on the upraise. To me, people seem much meaner out in public now, much more that even a few years ago which doesn't help my agoraphobia anyway. When I do go out I try to avoid social situations as best as I can and it shouldn't have to be this way!