Positive Journalism Can Boost Your Immunity During Coronavirus Outbreak

TIMESINDONESIA, SURABAYA – The negative stories concerning Coronavirus or Covid-19 in most media can lead to confusion and anxiety. The Media Psychology and Social Cognition Specialist from Universitas Airlangga (Unair) Surabaya, Rahkman Ardi, said that the positive stories can increase your mood, thus lead to an optimal body immune system.

"As a matter of fact, positive journalism can increase our positive moods. On the other hand, the negative stories may cause the readers to have a negative and depressing mood," said Ardi.

According to some medical researches, emotional condition and mood may have an impact to our immune system, said Ardi. If someone tends to be negative, pessimistic, and depressed, his immune system will be weakened.

 "Optimism will associate positively towards the psychological and physical adjustment during stressful moment. In other words, our immune system will be improved when we have positive and optimistic attitudes," said Ardi, who is also the Head of Personality and Social Psychology of Unair.

According to Ardi, if someone is bombarded with negative and depressing stories, he will be filled with negative and depressive moods. As a matter of fact, the physical condition, particularly the immune system is mostly affected by the psychological condition.

 "If the negative journalism regarding Covid-19 goes on, the readers will get stressed, anxious, and panic-stricken. As a result, their immunity system will decrease thus they will get infected by any diseases," said Ardi.

On the other hand, if the stories about Covid-19 is presented as a positive and optimistic journalism, it will lead to a more positive airwaves in the society. Therefore, this positive attitude will lead to an optimally improved immune system during the stressful events. (*)

**) Ikuti berita terbaru TIMES Indonesia di Google News klik link ini dan jangan lupa di follow.

Advertisement