Paul Ellertson, online publishing coordinator

Taking breaks from the news, especially now, is essential for mental health. It’s exhausting hearing about Trump’s fascist policies; including sending more U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to Minnesota and other Democrat-run states. It’s embarrassing to constantly hear about the situation with Greenland that Trump started, which is beginning to turn our North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies against us. Everything seems to be “Trump this,” “Trump that,” or “ICE this,” “ICE that.” It’s also very stressful to hear about ICE raids in our neighborhoods, knowing there’s nothing we can do but hope our friends and loved ones are safe. 

Taking a break from the news is okay to do. It helps to focus on something else for a while. The only drawback seems to be putting oneself out of the loop. So, when something happens, it’s a rush to get caught up again, and then it’s back to being depressed and probably having nightmares. 

When I take news breaks, I try to hang out with friends, watch comedies and engage in physical activities that require a lot of concentration. We all need that. I snowboard whenever I can, and it helps to get a workout in while getting fresh air despite the cold. When I’m tired and come back home for the night, I remember everything happening, and it’s back to being worried and depressed again.  

Every time I see something pop up in the news, I feel my heart rate increase. I hope that it’s nothing too bad, but it’s almost always something really bad. I have always been looking forward to hearing something more decent, like “Greg Bovino and a group of ICE agents are leaving Minnesota.” The idea gives me hope that things are about to start improving. 

Some of us can’t take breaks from the news for safety reasons. Some of us need to know where ICE is at all times. It’s important to provide safe places so people can take that break. 

A personal coping tool I use that I recommend is knowing that ICE can’t be in Minnesota forever. It costs a lot of money for ICE to be here, and many of us Minnesotans don’t want them here. Many will want to leave the state after the constant harassment they deserve and receive. I like to think of each passing day as one day closer to the ICE occupation ending completely. This thought process is easier to use when I’m not looking at the news. 

Taking breaks from the news also allows us time to be with the community and recognise that there are many communities, especially around the Metro Area, that are showing solidarity with our beautiful immigrant communities. Friends I’ve talked to who are more vulnerable say that seeing community solidarity has helped them a lot. 

As a political science major, following the news is a big part of the job, so finding time not to look at any news stuff is incredibly valuable. It seems as if one of the best feelings now is taking a break and knowing that your friends and loved ones are okay, all things considered.