The news just keeps coming, each day worse than the last. I brace each morning to hear what new crazy has been unleashed over night. 

My social feeds are full of intelligent. well intended people, experts in their fields, helping spread information that could save lives; helping guide critique on what's happening; offering suggestions for coping, whether that be via taking action, taking self care or taking it all to a higher power. 

All good stuff. All information I appreciate receiving. 

And all contributing to my raised stess levels and lessening ability to rest and recouperate. 

Peak Information

I've been feeling myself reaching my 'peak information' point - that place where I'm so overloaded I don't actually take in the information I'm listening to on those social posts. I start to feel like I can't breathe deeply anymore, can't think my own thoughts...there's just too much.

I can feel, physically, I'm getting weary. Like my cells are screaming to stop pummeling them with new information. 

And I know that what they're responding to isn't information, it's stress.

I need to stop listening. I need to shut down and rest. 

And I hate that. 

I recently read something that reminded me that humans have evolved to pay attention to things that spark fear. While we can access more fear-inducing information, we will. We're harad wired to seek it out because, on some unconscious level, we think it's helping us stay alive, avoiding danger. 

And maybe that's exactly what it's doing. Our lizard brain response isn't wrong. 

Except that we live in a world where there is a constant stream of fear-inducing information. I'm getting scared about things happening in my own city and country, but also what's happening in multiple other countries and communities around the world. 

Humans have not had to worry on that scale before. 

No wonder there's a massive rises in anxiety related issues in our modern cultures.

So where do we turn when we're fuelled by a primal drive to stay safe, the news feed is endless and the information we are getting is good and valuable...but we just can't take it anymore?

Accepting the necessity of ignorance

There are a few reasons why we need to accept the necessity of ignorance. But first, let me explain exactly what I mean. 

Ignorance (at least in this context) means the conscious not knowing of something. It's not accidental. It's not unavoidable. You know there are things you don't know and are not going to know, at least right now. 

This kind of not knowing is going to take place if I don't log on to my social feeds several times a day. Other people's posts are going to be missed, information is going to be lost to the mists of yesterday's feeds, and I won't see them.

And our mental health depends on us accepting that. 

But more than accepting it, we have to trust that we, and the people we love, and the things we value, will be ok despite that ignorance. 

That's hard. 

But it's also necessary. 

If we don't accept this ignorance, and take steps to switch of the information, we will burn out and break down - mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

It is too much for one person.

On top of our health, if we can't accept our ignorance, we risk being arrogant, and assuming we know it all. This isn't healthy or true. No one knows it all. Its impossible. 

We are all just working with the information we have at this point in time. That's all we can do.

Where to start with breaking the information gathering addiction

Firstly, understand that what's driving you is a deep, primal desire to survive. Something in you knows that information can save your life. So that's what you're dealing with - and you're totally allowed to find working with that level of drive difficult. 

Secondly, this isn't about berating yourself, forcing yourself to sit down and turn off the phone, and be quiet. The antidote to a fearful brain isn't yelling and being mean. That's just going to make it worse. 

Thirdly, just deep breathing. some slow yoga, or a long bath isn't enough. These things can calm the anxiety spiral. But as Martha Beck points out in her new book. Beyond Anxiety, what we need then is to engage the right hemisphere with creative work. 

So once you've closed your eyes. taken some deep breaths, acknowledge your inner fearful creature with kindness. Speak softly to it, tell it you understand why it's so scared, why it wants to keep information gathering. Remind it of everything you have, right now, that makes you safe, comfortable, loved, and ok. 

For example, "I know you're feeling scared, but see how right now we're ok. Right now we have a full belly from lunch, and dinner is in the fridge. Right now it's quiet here. Right now, no one needs anything from us. Right now, we have a home to live in. Right now, there's enough money to handle today. We can rest a little while."

When you feel a little calmer, and you're ready to move, find something creative to do - with your hands, not just your mind. 

Draw, build, play, cook, even tidy up if it's creating something nice. Do something that feels light and unpressured, not something that needs perfection or a deadline. Board games, jigsaws or cards will work. Gardening, washing the car or any activity that combines the body and curiosity - a gentle walk with the intention of finding interesting things!

This sets off the creativity spiral, which counters the anxiety spiral of the left hemisphere of the brain. 

Your Burned Out Brain Is No Good To Anyone