Here's How to Remain Sane in the Face of Unrelenting Bad News

The rise of Covid-19 is scary. People are dying. Health care facilities are strained. The economy is buckling. Some necessities are running low (fortunately, TP supplies are rebounding!). These are really tough times. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed, despair and helplessness. We’re human.

But these are also times when people want you to be alarmed. Overwhelmed. Despair. Helplessness. Remember, we’re human and news like this is a ratings bonanza.

Pull pieces of information from difference to get a true picture of what is going on during times of turmoil.

Take pause. Think logically. And be very, very discerning.

I'm 1/3 news junkie, 1/3 communicator and 1/3 public relations practitioner. So given my professional DNA, here are four recommendations for cutting through the avalanche of information and remaining sane during this time of great unrest:

1) Sample news from a variety of sources, including those you typically don't partake of;

2) Don't dwell on opinions; remember, they are just that, opinions... and opinions are a dime a dozen;

3) Tune in to news conferences; this is where news is relayed unfiltered; you can hear questions and answers directly, and not someone's interpretation (opinion) of what was said (recommend the Governor's daily news conference at 2:30 and the U.S. Corona Virus Task Force press briefing at 4:30 p.m. daily); and finally and most importantly:

4) Be discerning, trust your gut, take time away from the TV; hug your family and pray for those impacted, farmers, the Administration, Congress, health care professionals, first responders/EMT, police and firefighters, business owners and all who have our back and are working tirelessly to manage during this difficult time.