JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Staying informed is important, but constantly checking the news could be affecting your mental and physical health.

Dr. Christine Cauffield, CEO of LSF Health Systems, spoke with WOKV’s Kristine Bellino about news fatigue, the effects of stress and the importance of protecting your mental health.

She also shared her personal experience as a cancer survivor and offered advice for people dealing with a serious illness.

What is news fatigue?

According to Cauffield, news fatigue is a real problem, especially for people who spend several hours a day watching, reading or listening to the news.

Some people spend six to eight hours a day checking updates on their phones, watching television or listening to the radio.

Cauffield explained that having access to news at any time can increase stress and anxiety.

In the past, families often watched the news together at certain times of the day. This gave them an opportunity to talk about what they were seeing.

Today, people can scroll through upsetting stories at any hour, sometimes without anyone around to talk to.

This habit is often called “doomscrolling,” which means repeatedly looking through negative news or social media posts, even when they make you feel worse.

How can too much news affect your health?

Cauffield said one of the biggest warning signs of news fatigue is trouble sleeping.

People who check the news right before bed may have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. They may also wake up during the night thinking about something they watched or read.

Other warning signs include increased anxiety, depression and constantly feeling the need to check for updates.

Cauffield also warned that long-term stress can affect physical health.

She explained that being in a constant state of stress can harm the body, making it important to find ways to relax and limit daily news consumption.

How to stay informed without feeling overwhelmed

Cauffield encouraged people to set healthy boundaries when it comes to news and difficult conversations.

According to background information provided by LSF Health Systems, there are several ways people can reduce news-related stress:

Check the news once or twice a day instead of constantly looking for updates.
Turn off unnecessary breaking news notifications.
Avoid checking upsetting news right before bed or immediately after waking up.
Follow a few trusted news sources instead of constantly scrolling through social media.
Take breaks from the news when it starts affecting your mood.

Cauffield also said people should feel comfortable setting boundaries with friends and family.

This could mean choosing not to discuss politics or other subjects that may lead to arguments.

She explained that setting these boundaries can help protect relationships, especially when people have different opinions.

The goal is not to stop following the news but to find a healthy balance between staying informed and protecting your mental health.

The emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis

During the interview, Cauffield also shared her personal experience as a cancer survivor.

She was diagnosed in 2002 and explained that receiving the news was a major emotional shock.

According to Cauffield, people diagnosed with cancer may experience fear, anger, anxiety and depression.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the disease and the importance of supporting those affected by it.

Background information from LSF Health Systems explains that patients may also struggle with sadness, sleep problems and fear of the cancer returning.

The organization recommends that patients bring someone they trust to medical appointments, write down questions for their doctors and take things one step at a time.

Cauffield said having someone to talk to during treatment can make a difference.

That support could come from a mental health professional, a trusted faith leader or someone the patient feels comfortable with.

How to support someone with cancer

Cauffield explained that friends and family sometimes struggle to find the right words when someone they love is diagnosed with cancer.

Comments such as “everything happens for a reason” may be intended to provide comfort but can sometimes make patients feel that their emotions are being dismissed.

Instead, she encouraged people to offer specific help.

For example, rather than simply asking if someone needs anything, friends and family can offer to prepare meals, provide transportation to medical appointments or pick up medications.

She also reminded people that cancer patients do not always want to talk about their diagnosis.

Sometimes, having a normal conversation or enjoying a distraction can be just as helpful.

Finding a healthy balance

Cauffield said her experience with cancer taught her an important lesson about accepting help from others.

After spending much of her life caring for people, she had to learn how to let others care for her.

Now a cancer survivor, she continues to encourage people to pay attention to their emotional health and recognize when they need support.

Whether someone is dealing with daily stress, news fatigue or a serious health diagnosis, having people they can turn to for help is important.

For those struggling with anxiety, news-related stress or the emotional effects of a serious illness, LSF Health Systems offers an Access to Care line at 877-229-9098. Callers can speak with a clinician who can help connect them with local mental health resources.

For more information about mental health services and support, visit https://lsfhealthsystems.org/.

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