Thanks for your response, Amy.  I think you've found your own way of a coping mechanism - and since it's working - that's great!  These days it's difficult NOT to hear the news - this is the fast-paced information age where we are surrounded (and bombarded) with a lot of information in a little amount of time.  Perhaps our parents had it better when they sat around their radio to hear Uncle Miltie and the latest news reports.  I don't know.  But there is great merit in your approach, and I applaud you wholeheartedly.    As I said in my bio, I always followed Dr. Andrew Weil and his advice, particularly relating to stress.  He said from the very beginning that once in awhile we should go on a news fast.  I am a news junkie (mostly politics) but once in awhile I go cold turkey without the news.  It's a great "de-stress" method!   Kudos to you, Amy!