Key Takeaways
Anxiety about money, gun violence and hate crimes ranked high on list of American’s concernsLimiting your news consumption may help ease stress and anxietyMore than before, Americans surveyed say they’ll make mental health resolutions for 2025
FRIDAY, Dec. 27, 2024 (HealthDay News) — Should you cut back on doom scrolling in 2025?
Worries about money, gun violence and hate crimes ranked high among many people’s lists of worries at the end of 2024, according to a poll that is part of American Psychiatric Association (APA) Healthy Minds Monthly opinion poll series. The survey included 2200 U.S. adults.
Reducing news consumption may be beneficial for your mental health, experts say.
“If current events seem overwhelming it may be time to limit your news consumption,” Dr. Marketa Wills, medical director of the APA, said.
“While we like to stay informed, the news can also impact our mental health, and being mindful of that impact is important,” Wells said in a news release.
According to the APA’s research, American adults have remained most anxious about the economy and gun violence throughout 2024.
Looking ahead to 2025, more than 1/3 of Americans surveyed (33%) say they will make mental health-related New Year’s resolutions, which is a 5% increase from last year. In fact, the increase is the highest result the APA has collected since it began asking the question in 2021.
As usual, many people report that they will pledge to be more physically active in 2025; other resolutions focus on participating in mentally healthy activities.
Spend more time in nature (46%)Meditation (44%)Focus on spirituality (37%)Take a social media break (30%)Journaling (29%)
“A new year brings with it new opportunities but also renewed concerns about the very important issues that impact our lives,” Wills said, adding that “any time of the year, mental health matters. Staying mindful of how we’re doing while taking active steps to care for ourselves is a terrific resolution.”
More information
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has more on stress and anxiety management.
SOURCE: American Psychiatric Association (APA), news release, Dec. 13, 2024; APA, press release, Dec. 18, 2024
What This Means For You
If you make resolutions, consider starting or re-starting a practice that will nurture your mental health, such as meditating or taking a break from social media.
