Disturbing news are a regular feature of our daily lives; be it news about the 2 year old girl who was raped repeatedly, a gory video of someone being beheaded, the spilled intestines and charred bodies of bomb blast victims featured on the night news.
In whatever form the news come; whether we see, hear or read about them, we are exposed nonetheless. This may make you wonder: “Can anything be done to make it any less upsetting?” Let us consider some ways.
If You Are Worried
While news reporters do not make upsetting you their primary motive, they do tell us the important facts about a story – yet some things you hear might be a bit scary or make you feel worried.
Should this be the case with you, remember that:
- Worrying stories are often in the news because they are rare – they don’t happen very often.
- It is incredibly unlikely that what you are reading about or watching might happen near you.
- It will do you much good if you discussed these stories with your parents or friends. You will feel better that you are not the only one worried.
- You could also talk to your teacher about it – maybe you could even have a class discussion which would help you understand the issue better.
What If You Are Having Nightmares?
If you are having nightmares or trouble sleeping because of something you have heard in the news:
- Speak with your mum or dad – help from them will make you feel much better.
- Try talking about your nightmare or even drawing it. This will help you confront your fear.
- Surround yourself with things that make you feel secure at night – even if you would keep this hidden from your mates (like a teddy bear or something of sort).
- Try to balance the news you read. If you read a sad story, then try to read a happy one before you go to bed.
- And if you are religious, perhaps you could say a prayer too.
I hope this covers it for you.
Adapted from BBC Newsround
