COVID-19 news valence effects on emotion and its modulation by a relaxation: A randomized online experiment during COVID-19 pandemic

This study evaluated how news with positive and negative content about COVID-19, as well as a relaxation pause, affect the emotional state. We also investigated the association between emotional state and practicing meditation/yoga, physical activity or having a mental disease. For that, a sample of 717 participants, recruited through social media, were randomly assigned to listen to negative or positive news about COVID-19. After that, both groups were guided through a short relaxation pause. Their emotional state was measured before they listened to the audios and after each audio. Mixed linear models were used to evaluate the effects of news group, relaxation pause, mental health and well-being practices. Negative news worsened their emotional state, whereas positive news improved it. A brief relaxation pause improved the effects of negative news content and may mitigate the effects of this valence of information. Practicing physical activity, meditation/yoga was associated with better emotional responses. •Previous studies suggest that news consumption may affect people’s affective responses.•In a randomized online experiment, positive/negative news and a relaxation affected the emotional state of the participants.•These results show the importance of being aware and controlling the content of consumed news.•Being under treatment for a mental disorder is correlated with worse emotional state. Practicing physical activities as well as yoga/meditation are associated with a better emotional state.