Reduce Stress by Logging Off

During this time we’re exposed to post after post about the latest virus outbreaks, ways to stay healthy or what activities to do during social distancing. These can be overwhelming. Instead of letting the negatives of the online world consume you, find a way to counter it. My preferred method is completely logging off. 
You may think this is impossible due to homework/work deadlines, keeping up with friends or breaking news, BUT it’s not. Logging off will limit your intake of social and news media therefore limiting stress. Also, if your institutions allow it, ask for a mental health day or just time off. Everyone needs some time to wind down and figure out how to handle their own situation.
Of course this doesn’t have to be a permanent or for an extended amount of time. Adjust your disconnection for whatever amount of time benefits you. This can be for a few hours, days, weeks or even months if you truly desire that. 
An alternative option is limiting yourself on apps that specifically induce stress or anxiety. My personal ones are my news apps and TikTok. I have the notifications on for the news apps and get around 5 to 10 notifications per day depending on what’s happening in the world. I read the headlines and start panicking. As for TikTok, it’s a trap. I start scrolling through the For You page and get stuck watching video after video until I realize it’s 2 a.m. I feel extremely unproductive afterwards and then feel guilty about it. For me, these are a couple of apps that can and should be reduced for the time being.
For your mobile device, and possibly PC, there are several apps on the App Store and Google Play Store that help limit your screen time. Sadly, many require subscriptions but I suggest using those free trials whenever you can!
Overall, news and social media isn’t awful. It allows us to stay up-to-date with what’s going on locally, nationally or globally and with our friends and family. It gives us instant connections with people from across the world. But it can consume us, and that’s when we need to take a step back. It’s nice to relax and hang out with yourself, especially for introverts, or the people immediately surrounding you.
Find what benefits you the most.
Make sure to follow us on Twitter @TSUWorldHealth and Facebook/Instagram @TSUWorldHealthDay!

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