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| The Polished Mirror |
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Blogs to Browse |
Media Choices and Our Health
The other day I read the results from a survey that showed that a large number of Americans are addicted to watching the sensational court cases that play day after day. Many people are more familiar, for instance, with the specific issues of some of the high profile cases than what is actually happening in the Middle East or other countries with serious situations.
Producers know “if it bleeds, it leads,” so, of course, drug, crime, and disaster stories make up most of the news portion of the broadcasts.” However, it seems to sell better if it is close to home. “Between 1990 and 1998, when the nations’ murder rate declined by 20 percent, the number of murder stories on network newscasts increased 600 percent (not counting stories about O.J. Simpson.”(The Culture of Fear: Why Americans are Afraid of the Wrong Things: Crime, Drugs, Minorities, Teen Moms, Killer Kids, Mutant Microbes, Plane Crashes, Road Rage, & So Much More). On the radio and TV we hear announcers attempt to entice us to stay tuned for a program, with the warning that if we miss it, we may be the next victim.
At the same time, researchers are showing strong evidence that positive psychology, and even, specifically gratitude, can increase longevity and strengthen the immune system, besides bringing a magnified sense of peace and quality of life.
While one of the purposes of this blog is to increase our awareness of the conditions and issues in the world around us, we also need to remember this ancient guidance (now validated by brain scans and statistics):
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.
Recommended Reading: Healing the Hardware of the Soul, by Daniel G. Amen, M.D., neuroscientist, psychiatrist. |
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