With the pandemic, a fractured Washington and the war in Ukraine, we’ve had more than two years of distressing, divisive news.

Past studies have shown constant bad news can give us PTSD-like symptoms.

Plus journalists often do a lousy job: The “Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2022” says many younger people “say they avoid news because it can be hard to follow or understand.”

The result: News trust in the U.S. is the lowest among the 46 countries polled for the report — at 26% (tied with Slovakia).

The world average: 42%.

Between the lines: The mistake we make is marinating in topics that are sure to make us gloomy and grumpy.