Without advocating for completely ignoring current affairs, wondering what activities, hobbies etc have folks engaged in to keep sanity.
I’ve taken to books on cd for morning commute instead of news. Currently enjoying Sarah Vowell’s latest 
When the boys were little, I stopped watching news on TV because there were too many inappropriate and frightening (for a kid) things that would be broadcast with no warning. After a few weeks of not watching the news, I realized how much more enjoyable it was to only read news. Especially on websites where you can choose which stories to even open. Not only that, but I can read content quickly so I could get in depth information about news that interested me and not feel overwhelmed with the rest. Efficient and enjoyable. We haven’t watched news on TV for almost two decades and I’m never going back.
I think reading news – as opposed to watching it – makes a difference in stress/negativity level. To keep it less hysterical, read the newspaper instead. When I do get upset - off goes the TV. I read literary fiction. In the winter, I ski, in the summer I take a hike. Baking is soothing, as is cooking from a couple new cookbooks I’ve recently discovered.
I started volunteering at an organization that helps homeless women, it has been an amazing experience for me. I’ve also been reading fiction more.
Stopped subscribing to our local newspaper a few years ago–all the crime and political stories stressed me out. I rarely watch TV news. I just feel less anxious when I don’t dwell on things that I can’t control. News travels so fast these days and we have instant videos on every crime/disaster/scandal in the world. It doesn’t help me to know all this stuff! When my usual car radio station gets too negative, I switch to the oldies. I watch TCM while washing dishes. I take care of my houseplants. I pet my cat. Do crossword puzzles. Go for a walk. Help my kids with homework, etc.
I used to be a total news junkie and have cut down considerably on my daily input lately. It’s subtle but the negativity and contentiousness takes a toll. But I cannot imagine shutting out the news completely – it’s our nation’s reality right now and I would rather confront it and process whatever negative thoughts I have.
I will admit these last few days have been a bit overwhelming. Seems like it’s just one mess after another – it’s just exhausting. I find that going for a long run helps me get it ll out of my system. After that I’m spent and I just don’t think about it.
I never watch tv news, which I abhor, but I do listen to a lot of political podcasts and the like on NPR, and I read several newspapers online and look at Google News at least daily and read articles from various sources…
After the last presidential election, I retained my sanity by binge-watching The West Wing. 
When I turn on TV news, particularly national news, it seems as if we have all gone nuts.
When I turn off the TV and talk to normal people in my community, or elsewhere in the US when traveling, or even outside the US, I discover a lot of caring and sensible people who are each trying to do the right thing and live a responsible and pragmatic life. This seems to be true regardless of each person’s political views, which in turn seem to depend upon each person’s life experiences.
@Consolation I’ve found the Vowell book serves that WW purpose. It’s the Lafayette and the Somewhat United Stares and there are many parallels. History provides many lessons
@HarvestMoon1 A good vigorous hike is great for clearing the mind!
Yes, West Wing here, too. Sometimes I have to skip the NPR political podcasts after especially frustrating weeks. Not often – but sometimes I can’t take a play by play analysis.
Although I normally read before bed, it has become critical for sleeping to not look at the news and read something unrelated and not too serious for at least half an hour before bed.
@intparent
I have also found a great bio of Ada Lovelace to read before bed. At least I dream of math and Lord Byron 
Even reading the newspapers can be depressing. I read the funnies first, then the advice column with my breakfast. Then I go from the first section to the sports/weather one, ending on a better note than the news. I read just a bit about what’s happening, knowing the details are reported over and over again, or what is really important will get mentioned a lot. The first lines tell you what is happening in the world and you can choose how much to read.
I never have liked politics or regular (political as opposed to cultural and other) history. Partly because there is nothing I can do to change it. I do look at issues when there is something I can do personally- such as voting.
For some current news the best thing is to wait to see how things evolve. I have better things to do than write (email) my congressman/whoever. I guess decades of living has insulated me more.
I read two newspapers every day and I watch political TV at night, mostly to be assured that I’m not the only one who feels this way. There is something to you can do if you don’t like what’s going on: vote.
Yes, but the reality is that there’s still 9 months before the next election – and judging by the current events, we’ll have 9 months of daily crises. That’s a lot to process. We’ll all need to decompress from time to time - hence this thread.
@katliamom right!
There has to be a balance between daily indignation and self preservation. That’s why I’ve decided as much as I want to be “in the know” it’s important to take some time to regroup. I’m looking to see how others meet that challenge…
P.S. I used to knit but got carried away with expensive yarn
I have plenty of crap going on at work that it keeps me busy. Plus, our new old house that needs much TLC…
Can’t wait for the Olympic Games coverage to begin!
@astute12
I’m on the board of a non-profit and it does help channeling energy in that direction. Thank you for helping others. We need more folks such as you.
@BunsenBurner looking to some heated curling
No TV, no cable, no radio, and I have a small sign that I used to keep on my desk at work that is now propped in the kitchen that reads, “Please do not discuss the outside world with me.” Funny though, how stuff still gets through. Looking at YOU, DH. %-(
I read, crochet, cook, and hang with friends who don’t like discussing current events either.