Opinion: Stressed by the news? 5 ways to protect your health

Published: June 11, 2018 9:02 a.m. ET


Negative stress can make you feel tired, fatigued, irritable, apathetic, angry and depressed




You may never see the connection between what you read or hear and your health, but negative stress from the news can cause you to feel tired, fatigued, irritable, apathetic, angry and depressed.

What exactly is negative stress? It is typically negative energy that is focused inward. This includes thinking negatively about current events and for some, replaying the same news headline over and over again in your mind. Thoughts such as “I can’t believe a 14-year-old boy killed 10 people in that Texas school,” or “How did Harvey Weinstein get away with that for so long?” can overcome your mental state and ultimately translate to negative energy that manifests inside the body.

Specifically, this energy finds its way to the muscles of the body, constricts them and decreases blood flow, breathing and overall good health.

You have more than 600 muscles in your body, and they fall into one of three types: smooth, cardiac and skeletal. You have no physical control over the operations of your smooth muscles, which are responsible for bladder function and digestion, among other actions. Stress that lodges here can wreak havoc on your body’s functions. Smooth muscles are in your eyes to allow them to stay focused. Stress here can cause indecision, low concentration and eventual fatigue.

Tension headaches, muscle spasms, stomach aches, excessive perspiration and even bladder irregularities are all signs of stress in your smooth muscular system, and are often treated by over-the-counter medications that mask the problem at hand.

Your cardiac muscles are responsible for blood circulation. Stress here can have dire consequences, especially over time. Heart attacks can definitely be brought on because of negative stress, according to a recently published study in the medical journal, The Lancet, by way of an overactive amygdala in the brain brought on by stress.

Your skeletal muscles are most likely what you think of when I say “muscle.” These muscles are consciously controlled. They allow you to swing a golf club, throw a baseball and kick a soccer ball. Along with your bones, these muscles give your body power and strength.

You are very aware of stress in your skeletal muscles: Pain in your lower back, jaw, neck or shoulders are all indicators. Muscle relaxation techniques are great for relieving stress not only from these muscles, but your mind as well.

To combat negative stress brought on by the news and other factors, make relaxation a major part of your life. Here are five simple tips to relax your mind and body throughout the day:

Reboot often during the day. Periodically “unplug” from electronic devices, to turn off your brain. Do this physically by unhinging your jaw, shifting your eyes and clearing all thoughts from your mind. Hold the blank screen for 30 to 90 seconds. This tool has been utilized by more than 2,500 of my clients within venues like the Masters golf tournament, the Wimbledon tennis tournament, the NBA playoffs, baseball’s World Series and Fortune 500 boardrooms.

Release tension by tensing each major muscle group (jaw, shoulders, buttocks, thighs) for five seconds, then releasing them while exhaling. The benefit is immediate.

Change your environment (both home and office) to include items like fresh flowers, music and candles. I’ve tried this method with clients over the years, who have responded with optimism and relaxation.

Be the palm tree during the hurricanes of news. Absorb the negative energy that blows your way. Bend but don’t break, just like a palm tree. Once the negative wrath of the news storm subsides, pop back up, like a palm tree. In other words, keep up with the news but don’t internalize it. Remember to think positive, and don’t let it manifest into negative energy.

Visualize what you want in life — including big-picture desires, policy reform, changes in our country’s political climate and world peace. Research has revealed that mental practices are almost as effective as true physical practice, as the thought process programs the subconscious mind and activates intuition.

Jim Fannin has been a life coach since 1974 and the author of “The Blueprint: A Proven Plan for Successful Living.”

We Want to Hear from You

Join the conversation

MarketWatch Partner Center

Mortgage Rates

Powered by


Data Provided By
Today's Interest Rates

Credit Cards
  1. 4.61%
  2. 4.43%
  3. 3.89%
  4. 3.76%
  5. 4.43%
  6. 3.87%
  7. 4.22%
  8. 4.2%
National averages from Bankrate.com
  1. 1.73%
  2. 1.2%
  3. 1.01%
  4. 0.41%
  5. 0.6%
  6. 0.52%
  7. 0.62%
National averages from Bankrate.com
Avg. APR Last Week 6 Months
Low Interest 13.63% 13.63% 12.87%
Business 14.34% 14.34% 13.68%
Balance Transfer 15.98% 15.99% 15.37%
Student 16.23% 16.26% 15.70%
Airline 16.66% 16.66% 16.07%
Reward 16.81% 16.82% 16.23%
Cash Back 16.99% 17.00% 16.40%
Instant Approval 19.05% 19.05% 18.60%
Bad Credit 23.74% 23.77% 23.46%
Source: CreditCards.com