I wake in the middle of the night with a feeling of absolute dread. The world is on fire. At no time in recent history have we had the level of instability in the world as we do now. Every day, our sense of security is assaulted by events that we would never have dreamed would be possible in today’s world.  As a student of history, I am astounded by the parallels that today’s events have with places of our past, places we have seen in close view and should know better than to revisit. But here we are. And for me, it goes beyond agreeing or disagreeing. Our very values have not just been threatened, but attacked, assaulted, and left in a ditch to die. How do we handle stress at this level, caused every time we see a news clip or a social media reel filled with violence, cruelty, and hate? Hatred, bigotry, divisiveness, and corruption now seem to be the accepted norm among so many. Both by those in power and by some that you meet on the street in your neighborhoods. How do we find a way through? How do we find hope?

 

 

Ways to Manage Anxiety and Stay Hopeful

One of the things I try to teach women 50+ is that they still have power. Power over their own lives, and power in this world to be bold. To stand up. To make a difference. And I think that’s where we need to start. Finding our own personal power so that we can rise above and find a way through, for ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities. But we also need to pay attention to self-care. To our stress levels, to our minds, to our souls. Can we do both? I have some ideas on how to help us all through. 

This time will go down in history, like so many other times in our past have. It will pass. It will change. It will get better. But it is not going to be over tomorrow. Or the day after that. So let’s find the tools we need to protect our mental health and to also find ways to feel hopeful and affect positive change. 

 

We. Are. Not. Done.

 

Boundaries Are Not Denial—They’re Self-Protection

It’s OK to take a break from news, from social media, from political discussions, and from trying to find the answers. I’m not suggesting you put your head in the sand and pretend everything is fine. We all need to know what is going on in the world. If we are indifferent, we are complicit. But it is ok to put boundaries around yourself to protect your mental health. It is ok to limit the amount of news you watch. To leave social media for a while. To not be drawn into doomscrolling. To stop a well-meaning friend or family member and say, “I don’t have the bandwidth to talk about this right now.” I choose to scan headlines at one particular news source every couple of days. Then I can choose whether to follow a story or let it go. In between, I concentrate on my well-being. And that’s ok.

You Can’t Do Everything, But You Can Do Something

If you feel powerless or helpless, and the world seems hopeless, remember there is always hope. There is always something you can do, but none of us can do everything. So instead of spending time on the headlines, lost in the amount of frightening things happening, make a list of what you can do, what you can control. Each one of us has something we are passionate about. For me, it’s nature, the environment, and climate change. So I spend time trying to affect change there. A dear friend of mine volunteers at the border. A relative attends protests. Another friend fights for women’s rights. You cannot do everything. But you can do something. And doing something is how we build self-esteem, feel purpose, and fight the good fight. It’s how we take the wisdom of our years and make a difference. It is how we get through this.

Make Self-Care a Daily Ritual, Not a Last Resort

If there was ever a time to concentrate on our own self-care, it is now. Create rituals that help you combat stress. And make them a daily habit. A priority. Not something you only do “when I have time at the end of the day.” Because who really does have time at the end of the day? Meditate, craft, start a garden, and spend time in nature. According to the American Psychological Association, “Spending time in nature has been linked to lower stress levels, improved mood, and enhanced well-being.” Any activity that helps you forget about the world, if only for a little while, helps to reduce the level of stress chemicals in your body. These types of activities are cumulative, and over time, they will help keep your stress levels in check. So how do you handle stress? Take a step towards taking care of you.

 

 

Your Home Should Be a Place That Heals You

Make sure your home feels like a sanctuary so that you feel safe and grounded. Add comfort, beauty, and things that bring back happy memories. It may seem like buying super soft throw blankets and aromatherapy candles has nothing to do with the state of the world, but they have everything to do with the state of your world.

How Do We Handle Stress? Community Is Medicine

Connect with community. There is nothing worse than feeling alone when you are troubled, and nothing better than sharing it with those who care. Whether it’s a church, a book club, a group of friends you meet for brunch, or an online group like The Middle Girls, find your tribe and don’t go through any of this alone. Simply the act of talking with like-minded individuals can lower your stress levels and make you feel hopeful. Answering the question of how do we handle stress when the world is on fire, is so much easier to do together.

Kindness Heals—Start with Yourself, Then Share It

Remember that so many people are struggling with their mental health right now. So while you re being kind to yourself, make sure to spread that kindness to others. 

 

 

Help Is Not a Weakness—It’s a Lifeline

And don’t be afraid to reach out to get help. Therapy can go a long way to giving us the tools to deal when things seem so out of control. There are options where you can do therapy just online, over video or in person. And insurance often covers it. If not, be sure to ask for a sliding scale or a cash discount if budget is an issue.

The world is a tough place right now. But we can take hold of some control by learning a few tools to help us understand the answer to the question, How Do You Handle Stress? Things may seem a bit dark, but if we look for the light, the dawn will come. 

Feel free to comment with your ideas on dealing with anxiety and stress from world events.

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You might want to check out my posts,

How to Bounce Back from Life’s Challenges

15 Quick Ways to Feel Happier

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