These last two years have been a total storm for all of us. The news got from bad to worse by the day, and all we could do is read, listen, and weep. The truth is, we all care about the world we live in, and we all wish for a better one.
But how can we wish for a better world when the news is continuously traumatizing our minds with terrifying, tragic, disturbing, or plain brutal events? Like it is not enough that we have to deal with our everyday reality as it is – and then we get bombarded with the worst of the worst the moment we open our newsfeed.
Well, yes, there are so many bad things happening around us, but that does not have to mean that we have to feel destroyed by all that. Author and columnist Ann Douglas has created some powerful guidelines that will help you to avoid the psychological destruction by our newsfeed, and we felt that more people should read about it.
Make a distinction between being immersed and informed
Even if you feel like you need to know everything that is happening in the world, that does not mean that you have to obsess yourself over it 24/7. As Douglas says, “aim for a balanced media diet.” Take a break from all the information and do not forget to focus on the good news as well. In fact, focus more on the good news.
Do not disrupt your daily routines
No matter the reality, your life should not be affected so much that you start disrupting your routines. Habits are essential, as we are creatures that work best in the familiar. Give your body some the needed rest by sleeping adequately, eat healthily, exercise regularly, and do not forget to have fun.
Do not avoid your feelings and do not dwell on them
Either scenario makes for a devastating result on your psyche. Avoiding the negative emotions that should arise in response to the situation will leave you emotionally “flat,” because you will also shut off the positive feelings. Dwelling on those feelings will tie your mind up, and this will make you less able of solving the problem or connect with others. Instead, acknowledge the feelings that are natural to come and do not stick to them for too long, but act.
Do not be idle – take action
No matter how much the situation is out of your control, you can always act somehow. Anxiety is fueled by feeling powerless, and it is brought down by doing something about the situation. So, do something positive, however small, like writing a letter, making a donation, or attending a get-together in your town. Great change starts with small acts.
Be optimistic
Instead of obsessing yourself over what you cannot control, focus on what you can. You should bear in mind that obsessing over things you cannot control is a poison to the mind. Know that every cloud has a silver lining. Your job is to focus on maintaining positivity in your life. Spend some time with the people you love, do the things you enjoy, and the positivity that comes out of all that will give you the strength to create new possibilities.
Reach out and connect
You are not the only one concerned with whatever is going on. Many people share your concern, and connecting with them will open a window of opportunities in what you could do next. Especially be open to connect with people who may be going through an especially difficult time, like those that come from marginalized or vulnerable communities.
The main idea is that you should try to connect with the people around you and build bridges instead of walls. If you find yourself struggling, it is always good to reach out for support. Taking good care of yourself is especially important now.
Engage your children in discussions
Talk to your children and address their fears. It is also very important to spark their compassion in times like this, as you want them to become caring and compassionate people. Dream together of a better world and support their dreams. They are the future of our world, and instilling a vision of a better tomorrow in them is perhaps the most important factor to a more positive future.
Source: Ann Douglas
A professional writer with over a decade of incessant writing skills. Her topics of interest and expertise range from health, nutrition and psychology.