If you find yourself freaking the fuck out about the Coronavirus, I don’t blame you.

There’s a situation out there and it’s much bigger than you.

You have access to endless,speculating information about the Coronavirus. You can find out the death rates, how many people have died, the number of infected in your area as well as worldwide, theories from scientists about how this will play out (ranging from promising to nightmarish).

All this information with no means whatsoever to do anything about it.

This is the curse of the digital age.

You have endless exposure to all of the bad things ( or potential bad things) happening in the world. But you have very little power to take any actions to remedy the situation.

This is a surefire recipe for maddening anxiety.

700 new cases in California today. Young people not safe from the virus. Economy heading for inevitable recession. Africa sees 50 new cases today.

All of this horrific information, but what can you personally do about it?

You. Sitting in your bedroom. Absorbing headline after headline. What actions can you possibly take to have any affect whatsoever on the Coronavirus situation?

The answer? Nothing.

If you have no power whatsoever to change the situation, why are you checking the news 15 times a day?

It doesn’t matter how many cases there are in your area. Every new number: 100, 1000, 10000. None of these numbers (all of which are probably wildly inaccurate) make any difference to your personal situation.

Knowing each and every detail about the virus. How many strains it has. Where it came from. None of this information makes any difference to your personal situation.

Headlines are powerful.

The mere sight of a headline suggesting an imminent threat can produce a fearful response in many of those who read it. (Especially those prone to anxiety).

The accumulation of seeing headline after headline threatening at the death of your and your loved ones can take a real toll on your psyche. And for what?

Every time you expose yourself to an anxiety inducing stimulus you are only lessening your ability to deal with the virus.

Stress lowers the immune system. With each and every disturbing headline that you read, your immune system is getting weaker and weaker. And stress ia contagious. If you’re stressed, you’ll make those around you stressed too.

Stressing out over each and every headline makes it more likely that you’d experience severe symptoms if you were to catch the virus. And it also makes it more likely that you’ll get sick in some other way at a time when hospitals are struggling.

“Those who do not know how to fight worry die young” - Dr Alexis Carrel

We may be in the midst of a pandemic, but there is still an entire news industry desperately trying to get your clicks. Fear sells. And the dramatic stories about the Coronavirus is sure to bring in clicks (And Ad Revenue).

The news industry will continue to bombard you with headlines that fill you with fear and dread in order to lure in your click.

So do yourself and your immune system a favour: Check the news once a day.

ONCE. Not randomly and sporadically throughout the day. ONCE.

Pick a time. 10:00am. 3:00pm. It doesn’t matter. This will be your news-checking time. Stick to it. Check the news for updates. Get in and get out.

Remember, the impulse you have to constantly check the latest updates and developments is lying to you. You don’t need to see the latest updates. In fact, doing so may even be to your physical detriment. As well as to the detriment to your family and friends around you.

2. Choose Healthy Media. Not Junk Media