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Taking a break from media in all forms is like a cleanse for your soul. In this modern age, we seldom question the
pervasive presence of the media. Television, radio, newspapers, magazines,
telephones, and websites are part of most people's everyday experiences. They
enable us to stay informed while sometimes taking us on amazing journeys. But
the content and experiences that these outlets offer also consume space in
our minds and can have a profound effect on our emotional state. If you are
someone who feels like your life is oversaturated with the "buzz"
that comes from the media, you may want to consider taking a break. A media
fast involves not watching television, reading any newspapers or magazines,
checking or sending any emails, or even talking on the phone. On the simplest level, undertaking this fast will free up thinking space.
When you are constantly being bombarded with signals coming from outside
sources, it can be hard to disassociate yourself, particularly if what you
are hearing or reading is negative or stressful. Avoiding the media for a few
weeks, or even just a few days, can help you center yourself. As you enjoy
some quiet time and reconnect with other interests, the fast may even
introduce you to creative aspects of yourself that you didn't know existed.
We may feel like something is lacking from our lives during the first few
days of a fast. But it is this emptiness that opens up the space for a more
expansive and clutter-free life. Research has shown that both news and television programming can have an
intense effect on mood, even causing sadness and anxiety. Without the
"noise" of the media running through your head, you are freer to
focus your attention inward. Ideas will present themselves to you more
readily, and you will find yourself available to revel in the small joys of
your own life. You also will be freer to live in the present moment, rather
than focusing on what's going on in the news or your favorite soap opera. A
media break can also help you develop a more conscious relationship with news
and fictional entertainment. When you aren't continuously subjected to the
media, you are able to look at what you are seeing or reading more
objectively. Taking a break from the media may also give you a greater sense
of calm, balance, well-being, and a new perspective on life.
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