Online? Avoid Being Overwhelmed by Information Overload

Here's what's happening on the HealthyPlace site this week:

• Online? Avoid Being Overwhelmed by Information Overload
• From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs
• Video: Tips for Coping with Bipolar Disorder During the Holidays
• Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans
• Mental Health Quote

Online? Avoid Being Overwhelmed by Information Overload

Has information overload affected your mental health?

We all have a wealth of information at our fingertips anytime we want it. This can be a good thing. Knowledge is power, and by looking up mental health concerns, for example, we can gain insight, learn more about what we might be experiencing, and gather information for overcoming these concerns.

This instant access to the information super-highway isn’t always good for us, however. Too much time spent surfing for data can be overwhelming and increase feelings of depression and anxiety. Sometimes, we find conflicting information about how to deal with our mental health challenges. Additionally, we can feel crushed under the weight of other people’s stories and struggles. Stories can be inspiring, as can chatting online with people experiencing mental health conditions similar to ours. Too much, though, can overload and upset us.

You can prevent or decrease information overload. Try:

• Limiting your time online
• Establishing a purpose for being online and sticking to activities that match that reason
• Dealing with a flood of information, some conflicting, by writing down a few “facts” for later consideration (and maybe further online searching) then putting it aside

The online world offers many benefits. When you take steps to buffer yourself against information overload, your experience will be less overwhelming and more mentally healthy.

Related Articles Dealing with Sleep

• Why Does Social Media Make You Depressed?
• Does Social Media Cause Anxiety or Help Anxiety?
• My Recovery from Mental Illness Started on the Internet
• Internet Addiction (Online Addiction)
• Internet Addiction Signs and Symptoms

Your Thoughts

Today's Question: How do you take care of your mental health when you’re online? We invite you to participate by sharing your thoughts, knowledge, and experiences on the HealthyPlace Facebook page and on the HealthyPlace Google+ page.

From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs

On all our blogs, your comments and observations are welcomed.

• Bipolar Disorder: 3 Must-Ask Questions for Your Psychiatrist
• I'm Not Thankful for Bipolar, and That's Okay
• How to Distract Your Focus on Food This Holiday Season
• Stop a Panic Attack in Public in 4 Steps
• Does Non-Verbal Mental Health Stigma Exist?
• Forms of Verbal Abuse: Insults and Their Delivery
• Surviving the Holidays with Complex PTSD
• When Anxiety and Loneliness Make Holidays Hard
• Does ADHD Make Vulnerability Difficult?

Feel free to share your thoughts and comments at the bottom of any blog post. And visit the mental health blogs homepage for the latest posts.

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From HealthyPlace YouTube Channel

I'm Hannah. I Have Bipolar 2

Tips for Coping with Bipolar Disorder During the Holidays

Coping with bipolar disorder during the holidays is a challenge. Holiday time can be really stressful for those of us living with a mental illness. As if managing our bipolar disorder on a daily basis isn’t enough, the pressure to buy gifts and attend holiday gatherings can increase our anxiety. That’s why I’m sharing some of the ways I cope with the holidays as someone living with bipolar 2. (Watch Hannah and subscribe to the HealthyPlace YouTube channel for more great mental health videos.)

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Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans

Here are the top 3 mental health articles HealthyPlace Facebook fans are recommending you read:

1. Morning Anxiety Causes: Why You Feel Them and What to Do
2. Coping with Internal Conflicts in DID When Parts Disagree
3. Leaving a Verbally Abusive Partner: What's the Breaking Point?

If you're not already, I hope you'll join us/like us on Facebook too. There are a lot of wonderful, supportive people there.

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Mental Health Quote

"I prefer to not think of myself as having Borderline Personality Disorder. I prefer to think of it as being really awesome and letting everyone know though outbursts of emotion."

Read more borderline quotes.

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That's it for now. If you know of anyone who can benefit from this newsletter or the HealthyPlace.com site, I hope you'll pass this onto them. You can also share the newsletter on any social network (like facebook, stumbleupon, or google+) you belong to by clicking the links below. For updates throughout the week, circle HealthyPlace on Google+, follow HealthyPlace on Twitter or become a fan of HealthyPlace on Facebook. Also, check out HealthyPlace on Pinterest and share your mental health pins on our Share Your Mental Health Experiences board.

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