How to Stay Grounded When the World is Crazy

It's hard to believe that in this day-in-age there is a war going on because a country wants to rule over another. I won't get too far into the politics of it, but I think most of the world agrees that what Russia is doing in Ukraine is wrong. We are all feeling confused, sad, angry, and scared. As I am typing this from my couch in my living room in Florida, I realize that my feelings cannot even begin to compare to those of the Ukrainians, the Russians, or people who have family members in those countries. I feel helpless and devastated as I watch from afar. Besides donating money to causes supporting Ukraine, we can help by keeping our own minds and bodies healthy. By protecting and strengthening our own mental health, we can continue to support Ukraine in ways that they need it. These are some things that we can do to help us stay sane during these crazy times:

1. Stay informed but don't obsess

This is one that I definitely need to take my own advice for. I find myself continually checking in to see what is going on. Do you do this too? I do believe it is important to stay informed but obsessing over every little detail of what is going on will only cause us more stress and anxiety. To stay informed without obsessing, try to only check in with the news once or twice a day. This way you'll see anything major that has happened, but you won't be spending a lot of your time reading opinion stories or watching heartbreaking videos. The stories of these people's hardships should be told and heard, but not at the expense of your own mental health. Time will come for these stories to be heard.

2. Express gratitude for the freedoms you do have

One thing that has really been alarming to me is the fact that the people of Russia who oppose the war do not have the freedom to peacefully protest. I have definitely taken this freedom for granted, and I feel so bad that the Russian government is not allowing people to express this freedom that I have. Of course, there are a lot of other freedoms that we are currently experiencing that the Ukrainians may not have right now such as a safe bed, steady access to food and water, the ability to not worry about the immediate safety of our loved ones, etc. This week I have been spending extra time trying to put myself in their shoes and to think about what it would be like for me to experience what they are going through. I encourage you to also think about the freedoms that you have in your life that other people throughout the world may not have. Reflecting on these freedoms and expressing gratitude shifts our perspective on things and makes us feel grounded.

3. Spend time doing something for yourself

This point is applicable for normal days, but it is ESPECIALLY critical when life is chaotic. Taking even just a few moments to yourself every day enables you to find joy in simple things. For those moments you are doing something enjoyable for yourself, you'll forget about what is happening that is stressing you out. You will overall be calmer and more patient. Even if you only spend a couple of minutes for yourself, the benefits of those couple of minutes will carry through the rest of the day. When the world feels crazy and out of control, being able to have some control of your own life will help you to feel less overwhelmed and helpless. Some examples of how you can spend time for yourself include reading, moisturizing in a calming way instead of in a rush, going outside, cooking a nutritious meal without distractions, eating without the television on or without looking at your phone, gardening, journaling, or exercising (which is the next point).

4. Exercise

Exercise is almost always being recommended by health care professionals, and that's because it is so great for us physically and mentally! In addition to physical benefits, exercise increases blood flow to our brain which allows us to think more clearly. It also causes good hormones including endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin to be released. Endorphins make you feel happy and exhilarated. Dopamine is another pleasure chemical that gets released into your brain. Serotonin can help you get restful sleep, feel happier, have more energy, and think clearer. Moving your body also decreases stress hormones such as cortisol. By exercising, you'll increase your breathing rate which will send more oxygen to your muscles and brain. Blood will flow more efficiently, which also helps your brain to clear. Overall, exercising is great for reducing stress and increasing pleasure hormones. To do this, I recommend trying exercise in a way that you actually enjoy. If you hate running but decide that you will start a running routine, you're very likely to fail after just a few times. Pick something that you enjoy, and you're more likely to do it again. Some examples that I love include walking, hiking, yoga, swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding.

5. Pray and meditate for peace

If you feel helpless and you are unsure of how to help Ukraine (or other people experiencing hardship throughout the world), start with praying for peace. Prayers can go a long way during times of trouble. If you aren't wanting to pray, meditating for peace is also very helpful. Either way, spending time thinking about peace and putting those thoughts out into the universe can help because increasing the amount that you think about peace also causes you to act in more peaceful ways. The more people who do this, the more peace there will be throughout the world. This also ties into the next point.

6. Go out of your way to be nice to other people

War and conflict happen because people (or governments) don't agree on something. We do not need to agree with everybody and everything. In fact, a lot of progress happens when we question things, but by being nice and kind to people who we agree AND disagree with the world can be a more peaceful place. Although we may not be on the side of the world where this world is happening, we can make a difference in the way that people treat each other in our own communities. Go out of your way to be nice to other people. Spread kindness and compassion. Even if you don't agree with something someone is doing or saying, you can still be respectful of that person. You don't know what they are going through in their own life or how their day has been. Maybe they are having a horrible day or heard some devastating news. Although not an excuse for acting poorly, they may be reacting to their day instead of staying calm. The last thing they need is for you (or somebody else) to add to that negativity by engaging in an unkind way. Maybe they need to see a smile, hear a compliment, or they could use some help with opening the door. Maybe they just need to be left alone. By being kind, you can help make a positive difference in that person's day. Your action could cause their day to turn around completely, and they could then pay the kindness forward. One small act of kindness from you could cause an avalanche of kindness in your community. We could all use some more kindness and joy.

Overall, be present with what is going on but do not let it consume you. It's important to know what is happening, but it is even more important not to lose yourself in it all. Take time for yourself, express gratitude, and be kind to others.

~Sara~