How news binge-watching negatively affects our health

Consuming distressing news content and graphic imagery creates profound physiological and psychological responses that go far beyond a temporary emotional discomfort. 

When we watch scenes of warfare, accidents, or human suffering, our brains does not make a difference between us witnessing these events through a screen and experiencing them as direct threats to our safety. 

Our threat detection center gets activated, triggering the release of stress hormones that prepare our bodies for fight or flight responses. 

Our heart rate increases, blood pressure rises, breathing becomes shallow and our muscles tense up as if we were in real danger. 

This activation happens automatically each time we expose ourself to disturbing content. 

Frequent subjection to this kind of stimuli creates a cumulative stress in our bodies. 

Our nervous system remains activated long after we have turned off the screen, keeping us in a state of heightened alert that prevents genuine rest. 

Over time, that exposure to violent, distressing imagery leads to physical symptoms including headaches, digestive problems, muscle tension, fatigue and a weakened immune system.

The psychological impact manifests itself as "vicarious" trauma, where we could develop symptoms similar to those who experienced the traumatic events. 

Our brain gets saturated with disturbing images that replay involuntarily and constantly in our head, which creates a feedback loop where our stress responses reactivate each time the memory of these images resurfaces.

Many people report feeling physically nauseated, experiencing panic attacks, or developing anxiety disorders directly linked to their news consumption habits. 

Compulsively consuming negative news despite feeling worse, creates an addictive cycle where we seek updates leading us to consume even more traumatizing content. 

Sleep disruption from violent imagery is another consequence that leads to exhaustion that compounds other health problems, creating cascading negative effects on our health.

Protecting ourselves requires the conscious setting of boundaries around media consumption.

That includes limiting exposure to graphic content, choosing text-based news over video when possible, taking regular breaks from the news and recognizing that staying informed doesn't require subjecting ourselves to endless streams of human suffering. 

Choosing what we consume is a necessary measure that will allow us to maintain a sound physical and emotional health.