Managing Stress

Stress is something we all experience in our lives and can sometimes be overwhelming, especially in the digital age. Understanding what makes you feel stress, and having ways to relax is very important for your mental health.

Signs of Stress

Here are some common stress reactions:

• Sleep disruption, nightmares, or difficulty falling asleep
• Heightened startle response or hypervigilance
• Intrusive images or replaying scenes in your mind
• Increased irritability, anger, or tearfulness
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Avoidance of crowds, public events, or reminders of the news

Tips for Media Hygiene

In the aftermath of traumatic events, exposure to news and social media can amplify distress, even if you were not directly involved. These steps can help you feel less overwhelmed and support greater resilience:

• Limit replays of graphic videos. Watching violent clips repeatedly increases both stress and intrusive images.
• Disable autoplay features on social media and news sites to prevent unwanted exposure.
• Schedule specific 'news windows' (e.g. two 10-minute checks per day) instead of constant updates.
• Curate your feed: unfollow accounts or mute conversations that feel overwhelming or polarizing.
• Pair news exposure with grounding: after reading or watching some content take a slow breath, stand up, or look around the room to orient to safety.

When to Reach Out for Help

If stress reactions last for more than two weeks, feel unmanageable or interfere with daily life, consider reaching out to a mental health professional or speaking to a trusted friend or family member.