If you are anything like me (i.e. a human being living in the year 2025), you’re probably feeling overwhelmed about the rough start to the year. It seems every day there’s a new headline about natural disasters, political upheaval, asteroids, and more, all of which contribute to a global sense of ‘doom and gloom’. All of this can leave us with a sense of helplessness, along with fear for ourselves and our loved ones. These feelings are valid, but without intervention they are also likely to have a negative impact on your mental health. Here are some tips to help you cope with the stress of the world news:
- Schedule ‘worry time’ for yourself. Set a block of the day aside, about 10-20 minutes, in which you allow yourself to think about your stressors. When a worrisome thought arises, set it aside in your mind or write it down to come back to during the designated ‘worry time’. This practice will help you process your worries, while also preventing them from completely interfering with your life.
- Limit your news consumption- We may feel that the more information we consume, the more in control we are, therefore the safer we are. In reality, it makes us even more anxious and depletes our energy. While it’s good to stay informed, it’s also important to set limits on how much time you spend on consuming the news. And remember, there are more good incidents in the world than you may realize, they just aren’t considered ‘newsworthy.’ Balance out the negative headlines with positive ones with resources such as goodnewsnetwork.org or The Good News Podcast, to name a few.
- Reconnect with that which brings you joy- focus on what you can control by replacing your phone/news time with things that make you feel good. Maybe you’ve been wanting to sign up for a yoga class, take up knitting, or have a new book that’s been on your mind. This could also be as simple as taking a walk and spending time in nature. Incorporating practices that bring calm and positivity in your life will help improve your overall well-being, and leave less space to ruminate.
- Focus on your community – What changes can you make in your neighborhood or town? Taking action on a smaller scale can help achieve a sense of empowerment. Get involved in volunteering opportunities. Find groups in your area using Meet Up or Facebook that are dedicated to a cause that is meaningful to you.
- Spread kindness – there is no better time to spread kindness than now. Try engaging in small acts of kindness daily, such as paying for a stranger’s coffee, giving someone a compliment, writing a friend or family member a heartfelt card about all the things you appreciate about them. Kindness and compassion are contagious in the best way – the people you impact are likely to spread positivity unto others.
If you are feeling like you need extra support, do not hesitate to reach out to our team for support.