An Educational Moment
The 60-Second News Reset: Show Up Better in Business
Synopsis
In today’s high-stress, always-on news environment, professionals often carry news-related anxiety into their business interactions, negatively impacting presence and performance. The 60-Second News Reset, created by Krista Regedanz, Ph.D., offers a simple six-step process to interrupt the cycle of news fatigue and reactivity.
By combining neuroscience-backed techniques—like deep breathing, emotional labeling, and intentional focus—this quick reset helps professionals shift from scattered and stressed to calm and purposeful.
Ideal for use before meetings, calls, or presentations, it serves as a mental reset that improves emotional regulation and enhances one’s ability to engage meaningfully and effectively in business settings.
Full Post
🌍 Why You Need a Reset: The Hidden Cost of News Fatigue
In a world flooded with news alerts, viral headlines, and algorithm-driven content, it’s easier than ever to stay informed—but at what cost?
Modern research shows that news fatigue isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a measurable psychological state that leads to:
| Impact of News Fatigue | Consequence | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Elevated cortisol levels | Increased stress and anxiety | APA, 2022; McNaughton-Cassill, 2013 |
| Decreased emotional regulation | Difficulty managing reactions in conversations | Smith et al., 2018 |
| Reduced empathy and connection | Weakening of professional relationships | Goleman, 2006; Lieberman, 2013 |
| Impaired cognitive decision-making | Slower, less accurate business choices | McNaughton-Cassill, 2013 |
If you’ve ever walked into a meeting still reeling from a disturbing headline—or caught yourself doomscrolling between Zoom calls—you’ve felt this in action.
The good news? It only takes 60 seconds to shift from scattered and reactive to calm and intentional.
⚡ What Is the 60-Second News Reset?
The 60-Second News Reset is a rapid, science-based mindfulness practice that brings you back to center before a business interaction. It works by calming your nervous system and rewiring your focus, allowing you to re-enter the room—physically or virtually—with clarity and purpose.
✅ The Reset at a Glance
| Step | Action | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Look away from your phone or screen | Breaks the sensory loop and visual overstimulation |
| 2 | Place one hand on your chest, one on your belly | Activates interoception (body awareness), centering your attention |
| 3 | Take 3 slow, full breaths | Signals safety to your nervous system and lowers stress hormones like cortisol |
| 4 | Gently label your current feeling (e.g., “anxious”, “hopeful”) | Activates the prefrontal cortex; reduces activity in the amygdala (your brain’s threat center) |
| 5 | Redirect your focus: “What do I want to bring into this room?” | Sets an intention; activates top-down control of your emotional presence |
| 6 | Re-enter with purpose—physically or mentally | Promotes congruence, clarity, and a calm interpersonal presence |
🧪 The Neuroscience Behind the Reset
Each step is carefully designed to tap into core elements of emotional and cognitive regulation:
- Visual Reset: Looking away from a screen interrupts constant visual stimuli, which the brain processes as background “threat” when overwhelming.
- Hand Placement: Activating interoception (your ability to sense internal bodily states) helps shift awareness from external chaos to internal calm.
- Breathing: Slow breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system and vagus nerve, reducing cortisol and preparing your brain for executive function.
- Affect Labeling: Naming your emotion—called affect labeling—has been shown to reduce activation in the amygdala (the fight-or-flight center) and engage the prefrontal cortex, which supports rational thinking and impulse control.
- Intention Setting: Redirecting focus primes your reticular activating system, which filters and prioritizes information that aligns with your goals.
- Re-entry: Entering a space (physically or virtually) with purpose influences mirror neurons and emotional contagion, allowing you to set the tone for more productive interactions.
Key Studies Supporting This
| Study | Finding |
|---|---|
| Smith et al., 2018 (UCLA) | Affect labeling reduces amygdala response and improves emotional regulation |
| Goleman, 2006 – Social Intelligence | Emotional states are contagious via mirror neurons |
| Lieberman, 2013 – Social | Our brains are wired to connect; intentional presence improves interactions |
| APA, 2022 – Stress in America | News consumption is a significant source of daily stress |
📌 When and Where to Use the Reset
This isn’t just a tool for high-stakes moments. It’s ideal anytime you want to reclaim presence and purpose:
| Use Case | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Before a networking event | Helps you show up grounded and open, not scattered or reactive |
| Before a client call | Brings clarity and calm to your tone and energy |
| Between back-to-back Zoom meetings | Refreshes your nervous system and prevents emotional buildup |
| After doomscrolling the news | Clears emotional residue so it doesn’t bleed into your work |
| Before a big presentation or pitch | Aligns your mind, body, and voice for authentic delivery |
🛠️ Quick Practice Guide: Print or Save This!
THE 60-SECOND NEWS RESET
1. Look away from the screen.
2. Place one hand on your chest, one on your belly.
3. Take 3 deep breaths.
4. Label your emotion (e.g., “tired,” “nervous,” “curious”).
5. Ask: “What do I want to bring into this moment?”
6. Enter with intention—physically or mentally.
💬 Final Thought: Presence Is Your Superpower
The most influential people in business aren’t just strategic thinkers or great speakers—they’re emotionally present. In a world dominated by distraction, your ability to reset and regulate is what helps you stand out, build trust, and lead with authenticity.
The 60-Second News Reset isn’t a gimmick. It’s your secret weapon for showing up congruent, calm, and clear—even in a chaotic world.
📚 Further Reading & Resources
- American Psychological Association (2022) – Stress in America™: Coping with the Pandemic and Political Upheaval
- McNaughton-Cassill, M. (2013) – The News Media and Psychological Distress, Psychology of the Media
- Goleman, D. (2006) – Social Intelligence: The New Science of Human Relationships
- Lieberman, M.D. (2013) – Social: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Connect
- Smith, R. et al. (2018) – The Role of Affect Labeling in Emotional Regulation