11. Too Sensitive to Watch the News – Protecting Your Mental Health in an Overwhelming World

Ever felt like you’re too sensitive to handle the news without spiralling?Yeah. Us too.In this episode of Too Much Apparently, we (Carly and Alice — two therapists and recovering perfectionists with squishy brains) get real about news anxiety, empathy fatigue, and the emotional cost of caring deeply in a world that never stops hurting.We unpack what it’s like to feel everything — from helplessness to guilt to full-body compassion — and how to stay informed without losing hope, burning out, or switching off completely.This time we talked about:🎙️ We’ve felt this thing too (and we still do): Hello doomscrolling, overidentifying, and crying over the headlines👀 What it looks like in real life: Avoiding the news, then bingeing it at 2am “to stay informed”🧠 Why our brains do it: Empathy overload, hypervigilance, and the myth that caring means suffering🧍🏽‍♀️🧍🏻 The different ways it shows up: Emotional exhaustion, guilt for switching off, or numbing out with distraction🧰 Coping mechanisms: Grounding, boundaries, media breaks, and compassion with limits🌱 How to make peace with it: You’re not broken for feeling too much — you’re just living in a world that asks too little of feeling.Resources mentioned:6 Ways to Support Your Mental HealthSocial Change Ecosystem MapThanks for listening 💛💜🩷🩵🧡💬 New episodes every Monday.🎧 Follow now to join the conversation.🧡 CONNECT WITH US🎙️ Podcast socials:→ Instagram: @toomuchapparently→ TikTok: @toomuchapparently→ YouTube: Too Much, Apparently→ Website: www.toomuchapparently.com👩‍💻 Carly Radford:→ Website: www.carlyradford.com→ Instagram: @the_sensitivity_therapist👩🏻‍💻 Alice Tew:→ Website: www.alicetew.com→ Instagram: @reparentingwithalice📩 Email us: [email protected]🗓️ New episodes every MondayThis is a podcast that says: bring your too-muchness… we’re here for it.Disclaimer: Just a quick note to say this podcast isn’t therapy, and it’s not a substitute for professional support. We’re here to share ideas and experiences, but if you’re struggling, please reach out to a mental health professional or a support service near you.—------------------------------------------------------------------sensitivity podcast, overthinking podcast, empathy burnout podcast, news anxiety podcast, therapy podcast, anxiety podcast, emotional health podcast, mental health podcast, deep chat podcast, neurodivergent podcast, autism podcast, adhd podcast, audhd podcast, Too Much Apparently podcast