Finding ways to reduce life’s noise benefits my mental health

A 24-hour news cycle, a lack of civil discourse, people who believe their needs are a priority, and the stress of a chronic, progressive disease with no cure: These things, and many more, contribute to the noise that fills my every waking hour.

When I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in January 2017, I faced these same issues, but they seem more amplified today.

After my diagnosis, I researched my disease to learn more about it, but the online results were a mixed bag of conflicting information. I grew stressed immediately. In those early days, my wife, Susan, would burst into tears whenever I walked into the room, as she had read something on the internet that led her to believe my demise was imminent. I began pointing her to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation‘s material.

Recommended Reading

April 15, 2026 News by Marisa Wexler, MS

Protein linked to mechanical stress drives pulmonary fibrosis: Study

I discovered the value of social media as I began searching for others with pulmonary fibrosis. I first discovered Kim Fredrickson on social media and began following her writing here at Pulmonary Fibrosis News. Her columns provided a raw, unfiltered view of her journey while also conveying hope. Diagnosed in 2014, she wrote her first column here about three months before I was diagnosed.

Having reliable sources of information about IPF helped calm the disease-related noise. But other noise became louder, especially on social media, where topics that many families avoid discussing are fair game.

When COVID-19 began spreading around the globe, the noise roared. Disagreements over masks, social distancing, disease transmission, and vaccines filled the internet, and some of these debates turned into protests in cities across the country.

Misinformation fueled political division, and global conflicts just added fuel to the fire. I believe the isolation of the pandemic contributed to a decline in our ability to engage in civil discourse.

Relieving stress by muting (some of) the noise

We, both individually and collectively, have to find a way to quiet the noise. Doing so has benefited my mental health, which is why this is important to discuss during May’s Mental Health Awareness Month. In deciding where to direct my energy, I’ve learned how the noise affects various aspects of my life.

It was causing a lot of stress, which I did not notice until I muted it. I didn’t swear off the internet or social media entirely; I just started using them differently. On social media, I began using features more liberally that let me selectively “snooze” people or groups for 30 days or permanently.

I do need the internet to source my columns, and I continue to rely on vetted information from credible sources.

I had to take breaks from the 24-hour news cycle. I no longer let news networks play in the background while I work and have begun watching television more for entertainment. I became a fan of “The Pitt,” a medical drama on HBO Max. I watch “Survivor,” both the U.S. and Australian versions.

Television was originally centered on entertainment, with the evening news airing once a day. Today, it almost seems reversed. When breaking news occurred in the past, people stopped to look at the television. Today, “breaking news” is so common that it has become noise.

Find a way to take a break from the noise. It reduced my stress, improved my mental health, and helped me make better decisions about how I spend my energy. If you want to discuss this topic further, join my discussion about mindful living at the Pulmonary Fibrosis News Forums. It is my responsibility to reduce the noise, which helps me make every breath count.

Please share in the comments how you reduce the noise in your own life.

Note: Pulmonary Fibrosis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Pulmonary Fibrosis News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to pulmonary fibrosis.