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Overwhelmed By Current Events? Try These 5 Self-Care Techniques to Cope

Self-care techniques are not reserved for when we have extra time or already feel great. Similar to the Zen proverb that says, “You should sit in meditation for 20 minutes every day — unless you’re too busy. Then you should sit for an hour,” self-care is most potent when we are most in need of rest.

Our nervous systems are stuck in chronic fight or flight mode amidst all the violence, loss of life, and seemingly endless turmoil. Mass shootings, war, political division — the world feels heavy, the weight can be paralyzing, and often we feel numbed to the latest news stories and death tolls.

It is common to feel exhausted, completely overwhelmed, angry, afraid, apathetic, or all of the above. The best thing we can do during these difficult times — and often the only thing we have control over — is take care of ourselves. Be kind, gentle, and patient with yourself and others. Double down on self-compassion, self-care, rest, and the things that make you feel grounded.

It starts with self-care. And self-care isn’t selfish.

Self-care is the most important thing you can do, for yourself of course, but also to show up more powerfully for those around you, your loved ones, your passions, and the world.

These Influential Women in History Say Mindfulness Is Key to Fighting for Social Justice (Here’s Why)
 

 
 

Burn Out From Current Events Is Real. Your Self-Care Matters

You’re not alone if your mental health is suffering and if your own self-care tactics just aren’t cutting it. These are not normal times we’re living in, but we can create new normal habits to take the best possible care of ourselves now and moving forward and avoid the burn out.
 

Self-care is most potent when we are most in need of rest.

 
While self-care is never one size fits all, here are five self-care tips that can help heal whatever you’re feeling in these challenging times. Whether that’s burned out, sad, anxious, hopeless, angry or you know, all of the above! Take what you need and take your rest seriously.
 
 

5 Self-Care Techniques When You Feel Burned Out From Current Events:

These techniques offer the perfect form of self-care based on your current needs. Whether you’re feeling burned out, stressed out, lonely or disempowered, there is a self-care technique on this list that can help!
 

1. If You’re Feeling Burned Out

Have we as a culture ever experienced this level of collective, all consuming burnout?

After a constant barrage of heavy societal events, you’re not imagining it – it feels like the whole damn world is feeling physically and emotionally exhausted, listless and like a shell of our old selves.

  • Respect your own boundaries: You can’t power through burnout. If at all possible, give yourself ample time off, use mental health days, sleep longer and get away (this requires a level of privilege that’s not always possible)
  • Limit your social media intake. To confirm, the doom-scrolling is not healthy
  • Get outside and get physical. A double whammy for burn out

 
Insta Anxiety? Complete This Social Media Cleanse In 4 Painless Steps
 

2. If You’re Feeling Buzzy and Anxious

Shoulders up to your ears? In constant flight or fight mode? Feel like you’re always waiting for the other shoe to drop? You’re not the only one. Many of us have been in a sustained state of hyper vigilance which isn’t healthy or sustainable.

  • Ground yourself with yoga to get back into your body and out of your head, at least for a bit. Here’s one great option!
  • Pick up a soothing affirmation or mantra to remind yourself you are safe and supported at all times
  • Create soothing habits, or even a corner or area of your home that brings you comfort (think fuzzy blankets, candles, soothing music, a nightly tea habit, etc!)

 
Building a Nidra Nest Is the Ultimate Act of Self-Care: Make Your Own In 5 Steps!
 
self care yoga

3. If You’re Feeling Angry or Sad

There’s a lot going on in the world to be angry or sad about – let’s call it what it is! If for whatever reason you’re feeling angry or sad or toggling between the two, that’s a valid response to the myriad of violence and injustice in the world.

  • Try getting your emotions out with a physical routine like kickboxing, MMA, or yoga
  • Practice breathing methods like these four Pranayama types, Breathing is a simple and free, and powerful tool you can do whenever needed
  • Journal it out. Journaling can help us to process through whatever we’re feeling and make sense of our feelings when the world makes no sense

 
Vent Journaling: 4 Steps to Try This Effective “Rage On the Page” Technique
 

 
 

4. If You’re Feeling Lonely and Isolated

It’s understandable that with everything going on, it can at times feel very isolating. When you feel lonely or isolated, your self-care technique is all about connecting. It’s important to take steps to connect with people even if you don’t feel like it at first.
 

  • Connect with a friend, and make it a regular thing, even if it’s a biweekly phone call or pen pal arrangement!
  • Talk about it! You’re not the only one by a long shot and voicing how you’re feeling to a friend, social media acquaintance, or family member can remove the stigma and remind you we’re all in this same boat
  • Broaden your social connections, maybe by joining an in person hiking club, a virtual book club, or finding new friends using tools like Bumble BFF (yes, it works)

 

5. If You’re Feeling Hopeless and Disempowered

When things get heavy, you may feel angry or sad or spurred into action. Or the opposite may also be true, and it may be all you can do to not hide under the covers or disappear into an endless Instagram doom scroll. Been there.

  • Remind yourself that change is possible by listening to a podcast or reading a book about social activists and progress
  • Connect with groups who are working on a cause that you are passionate about. There are many you can get involved with virtually no matter your location
  • Take one small action today, like donating to a cause, joining a group, signing a petition or two or signing up to volunteer

 
 

Take Care of Yourself By Taking Your Self-Care and Mental Health Seriously

It should go without saying, but if you find yourself struggling with anxiety, depression and/or mental health in general, please seek professional help from a therapist or other trusted professional.

BetterHelp.com is a great resource to find affordable, accessible therapy that is virtual and pairs you with the right therapist based on your needs. BetterHelp is offering 20% off your first month as a YouAligned reader. Just click the link above to get started.

And because we’re not fans of toxic positivity around here, if you’re struggling, that is completely valid!

These self-care techniques can go a long way in helping to refill your cup and address burn out and other emotions, but at the end of the day we can’t self-care our way out of everything!
 

“You should sit in meditation for 20 minutes every day — unless you’re too busy. Then you should sit for an hour.” – Zen Proverb

 
Sometimes, things are just plain heavy, and we have to “feel it to heal it.” Which is technically a self-care technique in itself! If you’re going through it right now, our heart goes out to you and we hope these self-care tips help lighten the load or at least give you hope in brighter days ahead!

All included information is not intended to treat or diagnose. The views expressed are those of the author and should be attributed solely to the author. For medical questions, please consult your healthcare provider.

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Emmy Schneider-Green

Emmy is a passionate vegan foodie with a wanderlust spirit. When she’s not working her digital marketing day job or writing, she's probably spending time with her two calico cats, lifting weights, listening to a true crime podcast, or daydreaming (sun & moon Pisces here!)

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