Ever try a news blackout? If not, I want to challenge you to disconnect and tune into your body.  As I know you already know, we live in a constant 24-7 environment where information is readily available — too available — and a self-imposed information break would do most of us a lot of good.

Personally, I like to have a periodic information break every few months.  In fact, when I do it, I go for a week at a time without the news and you know what? It’s downright liberating! I’m a news junkie, I like to keep my finger on the pulse of what’s going on but here’s what I’ve noticed:

• When I’m so focused on what’s going on in the outside world, I lose track of what’s happening inside, in my body. I’m less tuned into to what my body needs.
• Too much focus on the news, especially these days, tends to make me anxious and edgy.
• When I take a break from the news and too much over-stimulation, my body relaxes and my mind quiets
• When I’m in a news blackout, I eat quietly, I chew more slowly, I enjoy my food more fully
• My life and health are improved!

Simply put, extracting yourself from the media and Internet fray, even for a short time, is a powerful way for you to tune in and practice better health.

My husband is on a business trip for a few weeks and although I really miss him, I’m using the time to practice my news blackout. No NPR (the source of most of my news), no checking the New York Times online and limited Internet access (I can’t totally give it up but I am limiting my time on Twitter this week).  I’m quietly listening to music, being in silence and reading for pleasure.  It’s like a mini-vacation without the beach (and cost effective too!).

Can you see the possibility for a news blackout? How soon could you do it, for how long and how do you think it could help you?

Case in point — this past weekend, Bruce, my mom and I headed to Rhode Island for the day. We have a sailboat that’s been in storage for years. We haven’t had the time or money to get it in the water but every year we make a trek up there to see what shape it’s in and empty any pooled water before winter sets in.

So we were about to walk out the door on Saturday morning, me with my laptop bag strung across my shoulder, when they both gave me an incredulous look. “What are you doing with THAT? You aren’t going to work in the car are you?” Well yes, I said, I have TONS of work to do. That’s when they did a tag team number on me and insisted that I leave it behind. And much to my dismay (and later delight) I begrudgingly did.

But here’s the thing. I totally needed a day without work — both my body and mind were screaming for some much needed down time. As a business owner, I’ve gotten in the habit of working pretty much everyday, even if only for a few minutes. But the reality is, we all need a break, we need to quiet our minds and get away from the daily grind. And not working in the car allowed me to be much more present, take part in the conversation (instead of half-listening like I’m apt to do when multi-tasking) and thoroughly enjoy my favorite Saturday morning show (”Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me” on NPR).

And taking that break seriously does support better health. It supports a healthy immune system, it reduces stress and it helps us laugh and have fun — all key factors in creating great health, especially during these over-the-top, busy. super-stressful times in which most of us live.

What about you? How adept are you at giving yourself a total break from your hectic routine and indulging yourself a bit? What do you and how does it support your health? I’m reminded that I need to plan days last this past Saturday a lot more often.

The question gets to be, exactly how much should we pay attention and dwell on what we’re hearing? And when we do, how exactly should we respond? What can we do to minimize the impact on our health?

Personally, I’m all for having a news blackout and limiting my exposure. Listen to this week’s audio tip and I’ll tell you more about why I think we should distance ourselves and what happens to our health when we don’t.

What do you think? Have you been unable to stop listening to the news this week? Can you see a link to your health? How might instituting a temporary news blackout help you? Share your thoughts below.

What really put me over the edge was my weekend subscription to the New York Times. There’s nothing I like better than curling up with the Sunday paper and really having time to read articles at length, not just scanning the headlines. However, I was feeling increasingly ovewhelmed by reading the paper given all my other demands and responsibilities. It started to feeling like a burden, and truth be told, most weekends I was lucky if I thumbed through the main section. So not only was I not reading it, but I was wasting paper too! And the more it piled up, the worse I felt – I actually worried about the fact that I wasn’t reading it. So I made a very conscious decision to suspend my subscription.

To me, it just felt like the right thing to do. At first, I felt lost without the Sunday paper, it’s such a part of me that I really missed it. But truth be told, I’m getting used to it and it’s totally freeing.  I love giving myself a break, taking away some of the pressure, and actually feeling healthier as a result.  Instead of it being one more thing to do and something I feel obligated to, I can spend that time doing things that I really want to do that are truly relaxing and health promoting. For example, if it’s between taking my favorite Sunday morning yoga class and reading the paper, yoga is where I want to me, truly slowing down and tuning in.

What about you, do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by the news? Do you pressure yourself to stay on tops of things? And how does it affect your stress levels and health?