Fanning the Flames of "Media Created" Anxiety - A Break From Unnecessary Drama

Tips for gaining control of your life...

The news media is more than a source for information and current events. It has become a "roller coaster ride" of drama and self-aggrandizement. We consumers of these presentations are swept up and our visceral anxiety responses are fanned into a frenzy. But why are swept up in this media blitz of emotion?

Since the dawning of the "Information Age" in the 1970's, we have been steadily drawn into an escalating 24/7 need for worldwide news and the media has provided us with anxiety producing excitement from every corner of the world. Technology allows this instant communication and seems to encourage our "need to know" mentality. We "need to know" because we have a very primitive survival mechanism that stimulates our external focus on any threats, even perceived threats that may exist thousands of miles away, so our unconscious minds can protect us by preparing to fight or to flee from "danger." When the Flight/Fight Response is triggered, our reactive, survival mechanisms take priority. We can react with "knee jerk" habitual patterns that are unique to our learned responses, but are born from the survival reaction. One major reaction that occurs for many people under threat is a reduced ability to creatively problem solve and communicate effectively. We react and often do not really think things through. When this occurs, mistakes can be made. Accidents can happen. People or projects can get hurt. Relationships can be harmed. Our world can suffer by becoming a victim to poor rational thought in cases of fear or media driven anxiety. It is an extra "heaping, helping" of annoying distractions that take us away from self-care, focus on priorities, and creative pursuits that promote productivity and well-being.

Just before 9/11/2001 our news media changed. Do you remember? About 3 months prior to the terrorist attacks on New York, Washington, DC, and Pennsylvania, the television news media upgraded their reporting to include, not just a "talking head" (reporter) giving us the "news" but also text messages flying by on the bottom of the screen, and often a graphic on the left of the "talking head." Now we have to deal with 3 sources of information simultaneously. This multi-tasking creates added frenetic anxiety in coping with this increased input. Have humans evolved to keep pace with this new use of technology? When we are threatened, we have a response that NEEDS to know what is going on around us so that we can take action and survive any threat. We are often overwhelmed. We have learned to cope by becoming unconscious regarding this media craziness. The media fights to keep our attention. The media has evolved their approach to sensationalize their coverage, to yell at us even louder, with more graphic events that "demand" our attention. Even the weather news whips us with "STORM" coverage that makes weather events major news, even when it occurs hundreds of miles away!

To combat this media blitz on our senses we must do three things. First, we must become aware that we can become victims to sensationalism that may not necessarily be an immediate threat, and filter the news so that we can respond more appropriately. Secondly, as my friend Rodger Ruge suggests, we should consider a media "Fast," where we reduce and limit the amount of media news that we subject ourselves to. For many of us, turning off the news, especially before bedtime, would be a very good option. The third necessary step is to practice self-care and strengthen our emotional foundations by eating better, avoiding caffeine, getting regular exercise, and practicing daily relaxation.

Awareness of the media frenzy can help protect us and our children from the "overwhelm." Since the mid 1980's, we have been deluged by new technologies that force us to react to news and information that is swirling around us. We have experienced: pagers, fax machines, cable TV with 500 channels, Cell phones, text messaging, e-mail, internet information, changes in media coverage of world "disasters," "robo-calls" at dinner time, and huge expectations that we are plugged in 24/7 and can respond instantaneously even when we are driving our cars.... This is crazy making! Some people can handle this gracefully, in fact, some people can thrive in this environment. But most of us are just victims to our technology and can benefit from setting some limits on the ways that we use, and react to, our technologies... We need to evolve and to create survival strategies that meet our unique, individual requirements.

Please be smart and figure out how to "not become a VICTIM" to the media and our newest technologies!

When we see natural disasters on the TV, we think that we filter the visceral effects on our survival systems, but our unconscious often reacts to the possible threats that are perceive through our visual and auditory senses. When we witness "coverage" of war zones, murders, attacks, rapes, fires, or vehicular accidents, we may believe that this does not affect us at a "conscious level," but we are still triggering the flight/fight response in some systems at an unconscious level. Have you ever noticed your heart race or your gut tighten when confronted by news or movies? Does your neck, jaw, or back react to accidents or disasters that you witness in person or on TV? Do thoughts of "media images" ever pop into your conscious mind as you try to sleep? We are bombarded by negative media attacks almost everyday.

Do media pundits ever whip you up with their "news coverage" or editorials so that anger or fear seem to rise to the surface of you or your loved ones? This can be emotionally and physically hard on our systems.... Be aware and do not get caught up in the media circus, if at all possible.

Final note. Many people are studying and applying the principles of the "Law of Attraction" believing that goal setting and positive attitudes toward achieving these goals is essential to success. World class competitive athletes have been using these "Sports Psychology" techniques in their training regimen for decades to achieve advantages in mental preparation in their events. When we get caught in the sensationalized, negative reporting by the various media we are sapped of our positive thoughts and energy. We lose our focus on attracting success and positive outcomes. In fact, we can be overwhelmed by negativity. This can strip you of your ability to problem solve in positive and creative ways. Negative thoughts can attract negative outcomes, mistakes, and ill health. Avoiding negativity (and negative thoughts) can be a path to better health and lead to positive outcomes. "Dwell in the Light" and when you feel overwhelmed, consider turning off the negative newscasts and immerse yourself in a book or audio program, or a video that will inspire you with positive; thoughts, actions, and emotions.

L. John Mason, Ph.D. is the country's leading stress management expert and the author of the best selling "Guide to Stress Reduction." Since 1977, he has offered Success & Executive Coaching and Training.

Please visit the Stress Education Center's website at Stress, Stress Management, Coaching, and Training for articles, free ezine signup, and learn about the new telecourses that are available. If you would like information or a targeted proposal for training or coaching, please contact us at (360) 593-3833.

If you are looking to promote your training or coaching career, please investigate the Professional Stress Management Training and Certification Program for a secondary source of income or as career path.

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Break Into Digital Media Jobs

Many companies employ their own digital media specialists in positions that often combine technology and marketing to help establish the company's public reputation. Creating a positive online presence is one of the primary goals of these kinds of digital jobs.

Marketing and communication agencies also have digital media teams that focus on developing marketing campaigns for various platforms, including web based and mobile media. Digital media agencies are becoming increasingly common and the number of available positions in this area of digital media is only bound to grow as digital technology continues to advance.

Traditional media is also beginning to expand into the digital world. Television and radio stations, book and newspaper publishers, magazine companies, and other forms of traditional print media organizations continue to expand their offerings into the digital realm, opening up even more digital jobs on the market.

The positions available in digital related media roles can range from the pure marketing or PR positions to the highly technical. Those that branch from traditional media can include podcasts, on demand television or videos, and online text. Digital specialists can also be responsible for interacting with the print or digital media audience in internet blogs, social media sites, and online forums.

As the internet and other digital technology continue to become such an integrated part of everyday life, most media jobs now entail at least some degree of digital activity, meaning that the trend in media positions is moving toward and integrated model, combining traditional and digital media activities.

Getting into digital media means that you have some work ahead of you. Recruiters usually look for candidates with a demonstrated interest in internet media and newer forms of technology. In order to make yourself as strong a candidate as possible for digital media jobs you should get involved in online activities as much as possible and hone your skills and knowledge of how all thinks digital work.

Learn the jargon of the digital world and study the methods used in the field. A four year degree in digital or media related subject is your best bet for landing a good position in the field after college. A media degree will also work, as more and more university and college programs are incorporating digital media into their curriculums.

Work experience within the field is another way in which to land a great position. Look for internships with companies that provide social media or internet marketing solutions. Get a position with a digital advertising agency or within a larger company's digital department in order to gain much needed on the job experience.

Many digital media jobs are also geared toward those with an education and work history that is mixed. Many companies look for candidates with a strong understanding of business and technology. Getting a formal education that includes business administration or marketing, in addition to studying information technology, for example, can be an excellent foundation with which to obtain a digital role in the media industry.

If you are interested in Digital Media Jobs then try typing Jobs in Media into a search engine today.

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