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Hey #AAJAFamily, we wanted to share 6 Tips for Dealing with Stress for Journalists, from licensed therapist and former journalist @JeanieBaeChang, for you or any journo you know who might need it
THREAD:
THREAD:
"1. Lean on each other.
Start a group chat, be vulnerable with each other. Sharing gives you strength. If you can’t be in a safe space, a brave space with your peers, we’re not going to be a sustainable workforce."
Start a group chat, be vulnerable with each other. Sharing gives you strength. If you can’t be in a safe space, a brave space with your peers, we’re not going to be a sustainable workforce."
"2. It’s fine to be real.
This is a difficult time. Although journalists have to be “neutral” in their work, this is a new day and age in which you can be real to yourself about this being really hard. It’s about knowing what you can say and who you feel comfortable with."
This is a difficult time. Although journalists have to be “neutral” in their work, this is a new day and age in which you can be real to yourself about this being really hard. It’s about knowing what you can say and who you feel comfortable with."
"3. Take it day by day.
What’s meaningful that you do each day to help you cope? Don’t underestimate the small things just because you have a 12-13 hour day. It’s not a one size fits all. Every day you have to work hard to process something like this. I say, reset every day."
What’s meaningful that you do each day to help you cope? Don’t underestimate the small things just because you have a 12-13 hour day. It’s not a one size fits all. Every day you have to work hard to process something like this. I say, reset every day."
"4. Put strong boundaries in place.
It’s okay to say, "I’m stressed out. I can’t give you anything if I have nothing to give.” Maybe for the next 10-12 days you cut people out, not forever. “I am working on my self-care. I will respond when I am able to”–great auto-responder."
It’s okay to say, "I’m stressed out. I can’t give you anything if I have nothing to give.” Maybe for the next 10-12 days you cut people out, not forever. “I am working on my self-care. I will respond when I am able to”–great auto-responder."
"5. See the silver linings.
Look at the things that are highlights in the mess. Seeing that in the midst of horror there is good. Our brain always focuses on what’s horrible, that’s how news leads. But in the midst of this story, what’s going well?"
Look at the things that are highlights in the mess. Seeing that in the midst of horror there is good. Our brain always focuses on what’s horrible, that’s how news leads. But in the midst of this story, what’s going well?"
"6. Don’t try to fix everything.
In many Asian cultures, we focus on what we need to do better. I’m asking you not to do that. I’m asking you to focus on what you already do well. That really does boost your mental health."
In many Asian cultures, we focus on what we need to do better. I’m asking you not to do that. I’m asking you to focus on what you already do well. That really does boost your mental health."
