I've been without a television since April. I get my news online, newspapers, and radio. Occasionally I watch some TV at a friend's house. Each time I am amazed by how very dramatic and even traumatic much news is presented, I feel as if I've never seen television before.

I assumed that radio news would be much easier to deal with, after all, no images right? But I've learned that I as listener am often filling in my own movies, I can "see" the stories in my mind. Also learned that audio can be just as impactful.

I'm thinking on how to deal with news, I am also interested in how you all deal. Do we end up feeling overwhelmed and triggered? Can we find ways to moderate our use and avoid triggers?

For myself, I work on being calm about it all as much as possible, I'm not going to make a big dramatic upset about my reactions. Shouting at the television and radio might make me feel momentarily better, but it will %#@&#! my neighbors off, and in the long run wind me up too much.

I have known for a long time to avoid 911 tapes. I appreciate it when news shows warn before use of them. Today while listening to radio, NPR, a clip was used of a traumatic event behind the spoken reading of the news, no warning given to us.

I also don't do well with long dramatic re-enactments. I figure I really don't need to be taken into such stories of crisis and pain.

Sometimes news touches me, sometimes I end up in tears, to a certain extent, that is fine with me. It is the way of the world. But to take it further than that and damage my day would not serve anyone.

Doing a quick survey of this theme in various articles online shows me that control is an important issue. We can pay attention to what influences are in our environment, we can monitor what works for us and what does not, and we can certainly exercise helpful control with the use of a remote. Changing the channel, turning things off, can be the best technique of all.

Sarah