Difficulty: Explorer (Level 1)
News stories can be scary, especially if you follow them regularly. Can you take a break from the news? You might have to read or watch it for homework, or your parents might put the news on at home so you cannot avoid it. If that is the case, you need to tell them how you feel so they can help you.
You can also try a quick self-calming routine. Here’s how it works:
1. Rate your fear on a scale of 1 to 10. One means you’re not scared at all, and 10 means you’re extremely scared.
2. Take slow, deep breaths with your eyes closed. Imagine something positive like your pet or best friend.
3. After a few minutes, check your fear rating again. See if it has gone down.
You can also talk to an adult you trust. If you like, they could help you find a professional who could help you more. Before you talk to a professional, make a list of the different types of scary news that bother you so they can understand your problem better.
Talk it out
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What are you afraid of when you read scary news? What are some ways you can cope with your fears?
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Make a list of things that make you feel safe. Then, when you feel scared, you can look at your list and remind yourself of all the good things in your life.
The question was answered by James Yu, a clinical psychologist and associate professor at the Hang Seng University of Hong Kong.
