Effective grief management involves minimising exposure to negative media to prevent intensifying feelings of sadness, as grieving is a personal journey and navigating media thoughtfully is essential in today’s digital world.
The cognitive load of the constant stream of content is not to be overlooked. “Mindless scrolling” or binging TV isn’t so mindless – it can subconsciously affect our emotions. So, in times of mental and emotional strain, there a few practical strategies you can use to create a nurturing headspace to support the healing process.
How to approach the online space when mourning and managing grief
1. Limit exposure to negative news and media while mourning
In times of grief, constant exposure to negative news and media can exacerbate feelings of sadness and anxiety. To help manage this, consider the following steps:
Set specific times for checking news: instead of constantly scrolling through news updates, designate certain times of the day to catch up. This helps prevent the news cycle from dominating your thoughts and emotions.
Choose balanced, constructive news sources: opt for news outlets that provide balanced coverage and constructive content. Avoid sensationalist or overly negative sources that can impact your mood and outlook.
Focus on your healing process: prioritise activities and information that support your healing journey. Whether it’s reading comforting articles, listening to supportive podcasts, or spending time in quiet reflection, make sure your media consumption aligns with your emotional needs.
2. Grief management: create a positive media environment
Engage with uplifting content: seek out motivational podcasts, soothing music, or positive affirmations.
Curate social media feeds: follow accounts that offer support, inspiration, or community. Unfollow or mute sources that bring negativity or stress into your feed.
Unfollow or mute sources of negativity: social media is vast and varied. Don’t hesitate to adjust your feed to reflect what best supports your mental and emotional health during this time.
3. Grief healing: practice mindful media consumption
Manage notification settings: turn off non-essential notifications to reduce interruptions and stress. This allows you to engage with media on your own terms rather than reacting to constant alerts.
Prioritise offline activities: engage in offline hobbies or activities that bring you joy and relaxation. And when consuming content, balance this with offline activities.
Grief management: how to minimise negative media and protect your peace
At Anton Brown Funerals, we are committed to helping families navigate the evolving landscape of digital media during grief. You can create a supportive space that enhances your healing journey by setting boundaries, curating your media environment, and practising mindful consumption.
If you need guidance on navigating this balance or support in any aspect of your grieving process, our team is here to help. Contact us at Anton Brown Funerals for personalised support and resources.
Anton Brown Funerals is a family-owned, Queensland funeral company which was established in 1995.
Our Brisbane-based team of funeral directors are honest, professional, compassionate and understanding, and always put our clients and their needs first.
We go above and beyond to ensure your loved one’s funeral arrangements are tailored to their final wishes and can assist you with burials, cremations, coffins, floral arrangements, pre-planning and more.
If you need help organising a dignified funeral service, we are available to discuss arrangements 24/7, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to us today on (07) 3217 3088 or send us a message online here.