Staying Steady When the World Is Anything But ~Part 2~

Part 2: How World Events Impact the Nervous System—and What Helps

In Part 2 of Staying Steady When the World Is Anything But, we want to focus specifically on how world events—and the way we consume information about them—affect our nervous systems, and what we can do to reduce unnecessary dysregulation while staying informed.

Why World Events Hit So Deeply

Our nervous systems are not designed to be calm observers of danger. They are designed to scan the environment for threat and, when a threat is detected, mobilize the body to respond.

From an evolutionary perspective, this system kept us alive. If a lion appeared, our nervous system would detect the danger and unconsciously shift us into a survival response: fight, flight, freeze, or collapse. Heart rate would increase, muscles would tense, digestion would slow—everything would orient toward survival.

Importantly, this system was meant to be short-lived. Fighting a lion or running at full speed for more than 20–30 minutes would be unlikely. If we survived, our nervous system would naturally move toward rest and recovery.

The Modern “Lion”: World Events and the News Cycle

Today, many of the threats we face are not immediate or physical—but our nervous systems often respond as if they are.

Think of major world events—war, climate crises, political instability, economic uncertainty—as the lion. Now think of the news and social media as real-time updates on the lion’s status:

• Is it getting closer?

• Is it further away?

• Has it left—or is it still there?

This constant stream of information can keep our nervous systems in a state of ongoing mobilization, without the opportunity to complete the stress cycle and return to regulation.

Should We Avoid the News?

You’ll often hear professionals suggest that avoiding the news entirely can be helpful—and for some people, it is. However, for many others, complete avoidance can actually increase anxiety.

Using our analogy: not knowing where the lion is can be more distressing than knowing it’s still at a distance. When we ignore the threat completely, the nervous system doesn’t forget about it. Instead, it may work harder to get our attention—through anxiety, intrusive thoughts, irritability, or physical symptoms.

The key is not no exposure or constant exposure, but finding what is right for you.

Your nervous system doesn’t benefit from:

• Staring at the lion for days on end

• Or pretending the lion doesn’t exist

Both extremes tend to increase dysregulation.

Finding Your Ideal Level of Exposure

The “right amount” of news consumption looks different for everyone—and it can change over time. One of the best guides is your own mental and physical health:

• How do you feel after consuming the news?

• Do you feel informed and grounded, or tense and flooded?

• Are you sleeping, eating, and focusing differently?

(How to track and interpret these signals could easily be an entire blog on its own.)

The purpose of this piece is to highlight how world events impact the nervous system and to offer practical considerations for mitigating their effects.

How to Consume Media in a More Nervous-System-Friendly Way

1. The Type of Media Matters

Different forms of media affect the nervous system differently:

• Written media (articles, blogs) tend to be the least dysregulating

• Audio (radio, podcasts) is often more activating than written content

• Video is usually the most dysregulating because it provides rich sensory input—images, sound, facial expressions, and tone all at once

Consider moderating your exposure to the more activating forms, especially during times of heightened stress.

2. The Source Matters

Not all news sources affect the nervous system in the same way.

Consider:

• Does the reporter remain regulated while delivering the information? (We unconsciously pick up on others’ dysregulation.)

• Does the outlet sensationalize content or repeatedly replay disturbing images?

• Is the focus on fear-based messaging or on clear, accurate information?

Look for sources that prioritize accuracy over intensity, and that limit repeated exposure to graphic or emotionally charged material.

3. Time Spent Consuming the News

This includes:

• How often you check the news in a day

• How long you spend each time you check

The goal is to find the least amount of exposure that still helps your nervous system feel informed and prepared. More is not better—once your nervous system has the information it needs, additional exposure often increases activation rather than reassurance.

In Closing

We are living in a time where our nervous systems are being asked to process far more threat-related information than they were ever designed for. Understanding this isn’t about weakness—it’s about biology.

By becoming more intentional about how, when, and from whom we receive information, we can support greater regulation, resilience, and steadiness—even when the world feels anything but steady.

If you’d like support in understanding your own nervous system, navigating the impact of world events, or developing strategies that help you feel more grounded and regulated, psychotherapy can help.

To learn more or to book an appointment, contact Maple Key Counselling and Psychotherapy.