Managing Anxiety in a Globalized World

In today's world, it is hard to avoid the constant influx of information about the state of world affairs, both domestic and international. With the rise of social media and 24/7 news cycles, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and anxious about the state of the world. While being informed is essential, taking care of your mental health is equally important. How can you manage how stressful it can feel to have a real-time reel of every corner of our globe?

1. Limit Exposure to News and Social Media

One of the primary causes of anxiety in today's world is constant exposure to news and social media. While staying informed is essential, taking a break from the continuous stream of information is equally important. Limiting how often you check the news or social media can help you feel more in control.

For example, limit your time on social media to 30 minutes daily and only check the news in the morning and evening. You can also unfollow people or pages that consistently post harmful or triggering content. By limiting your exposure to information and social media, you can reduce the amount of anxiety you feel.

2. Practice Self-Care

Taking care of your mental health is key to managing anxiety. Do your best to get enough sleep, eat well, and exercise regularly. Meditation, yoga, and other mindfulness practices can also help manage stress. Take some "me" each day and a lil something that brings you joy, whether reading, taking a nice hot bath, or spending time with your person/people or fur babies.

If the struggle gets harder than you can bare alone, consider seeking professional help. A therapist or counselor can provide you with tools and strategies to manage your anxiety.

3. Take Action

Sometimes anxiety can stem from feeling helpless in the face of world affairs. One way to combat this feeling is to take action. Consider volunteering for a cause you care about, donating to a charity, or becoming politically involved. Taking action can help you feel empowered and give you a sense of control in an otherwise unpredictable world.

For example, if you're concerned about climate change, consider volunteering with a local environmental organization or reducing your carbon footprint. Donate to organizations that support marginalized communities or attend a protest or rally if you're worried about social justice issues. You can make a difference and feel more hopeful about the future by taking action.

Honestly, I don't think it's realistic to say we can avoid being affected at some point and at various levels with all the ish happening literally all the time, and the anxiety caused by world affairs is a thing. However, you can take steps to manage and reduce your stress. Limiting your exposure to news and social media, practicing self-care, and taking action can make you feel more in control and empowered. Making a priority to care for your mental health is more important than staying informed. And last but most importantly, do NOT hesitate to seek help if and when needed.

Know that you are loved and cared about and the people around you , your people want to see be your fullest self so let them know if you are going through it - let them know. Sometimes a good chat is all we need other times it might take a professional to help us get there.

Here are some really cool sites to explore if you need some guidance on where to start:

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), https://www.nami.org/

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357), https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741, https://www.crisistextline.org/

• Talkiatry, https://www.talkiatry.com/