Turn Off the Bad News

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MICHAEL SMITH
How much bad news is too much? A recent survey shows that binging on shocking headlines can be a big contributor to daily stress. Repeated viewing of a clip of a traumatic event could even bring on symptoms similar to PTSD, based on a study of people who watched Boston bombing coverage.

Because we're genetically wired to be on the alert for threats, it could be hard to avoid paying close attention to disaster coverage. It's fine to stay informed, but be careful of over-indulging on the bad stuff. Watching disturbing clips again and again or staying glued to sensationalized media coverage could be hazardous to your peace of mind.

For WebMD, I'm Doctor Michael Smith.