They Say Ignorance Is Bliss … But Is It Healthy? t’s nearly impossible to log on to social media or turn on the TV without seeing something distressing. Instead of dwelling on what’s troubling, let’s focus on how to protect our mental health. WHY IS THE NEWS SO NEGATIVE? I THE EFFECTS OF NEGATIVE NEWS HOW TO FIGHT THE NEGATIVITY
As news media revenue goes down and people become desensitized, news organizations feel the pressure to show emotionally relevant material such as crime and accidents. At a basic level, for something to be “newsworthy” — negative or not — it needs to be the exception to the rule, not the norm. That means watching the news might give you an inaccurate view of what daily life is like in the world.
It’s important to understand important issues of the day. But when the news becomes too much, psychologists encourage you to take a break with some good news — or no news at all. Advances in medicine and technology happen all the time! Seek out those stories, or take a break from news altogether. That’s when no news can become good news.
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF BAD NEWS
A study by Psychology Today found that people who watch negative news feel worse about pre- existing worries than people who watch happy or neutral events. That means people watching the news don’t just feel anxious about the world — they feel more anxious about their own lives. British psychologist Dr. Graham Davey, who specializes in the effects of media violence, says negative news can affect how you interact with the world around you. As you consume threatening news, you’re more likely to spot threats in your day-to-day activities that aren’t there, which leads to anxiety.
THERE’S NO RIGHT WAY TO RETIRE Should You Consider Semi-Retirement?
Traditional retirement used to be the only option for those seeking to end their full-time work days. This all-or-nothing approach meant that once a person hit a certain age or worked a certain number of years, it was time to stop entirely. For a lot of people, this type of retirement is still the end goal. For others, the thought of spending years focusing solely on family time and leisure activities is as much a cause for anxiety as it is for excitement. If you happen to fall into the latter group, you may want to consider semi-retirement. Semi-retirement means finding the right amount of work that brings you fulfillment, rather than choosing to stop working altogether. Maybe you’ll take on some part- time work or start a business that doesn’t require too much startup investment. If you think semi-retirement might be the best option for you, you should still plan like you are going to fully retire. Semi-retirement pursuits rarely yield a significant amount of
money, and you don’t want to be forced to pivot back into full-time employment due to improper planning. One trendy practice that often accompanies semi-retirement is rightsizing. Rightsizing is the process of finding the home and lifestyle that meets your needs without exceeding your resources. Doing a little rightsizing while you’re still at work will help you prepare for the time when you retire completely. For
those who don’t transition gradually, the income difference can be a shock. If you rightsize, you’ll be ready when retirement comes along. Regardless of how you want to retire, smart financial planning is the best way to ensure you get the most out of your later years. If you end up saving a little extra during a semi- retirement, all the better.
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