Finding Peace Amongst the Chaos
As we continue to savor the long summer days, sun-kissed skin, beach outings, and barbecue season, we are also keenly aware that we are living through a period of constant and profound change. These changes are often driven by natural disasters, world conflicts, or political unrest.
We used to learn about world events or politics through water cooler chats, evening news, weekend newspapers, or banter at local pubs. Today, however, we are exposed to constant news via 24-hour streaming, internet scrolling, and social media platforms. We are inundated with coverage of world events and politics.
The coverage we are experiencing today is often filled with vitriol, cruel and bitter criticism, personal attacks, and unkind language. This can have a negative impact on mental health at both the individual and community levels. The constant coverage of political news and world events can evoke feelings of uncertainty, anxiety, fear, and angst. It can impact not only our emotional health but our overall well-being, leading to fatigue, increased substance use, difficulty concentrating, poor sleep patterns, and strained relationships with family, friends, and community members.
While political engagement and awareness of world events can have benefits, such as encouraging people to support causes, facilitate policy reform, and get involved in their communities, it is important to recognize the toll that constant exposure can take on our mental health.
"Politics is a chronic stressor that people see as consistently taking a toll on their emotional and even physical health across the long term." — Kevin Smith, Dept. of Political Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Chronic or long-term stress can erode a person’s resilience and their ability to cope with life’s daily tasks in a healthy way. In simple terms, it diminishes resiliency.
There are steps we can take to cope with the barrage of news clips, articles, and videos we encounter every day. These measures can help protect our mental health and that of our loved ones.
Exert control over what we can – Limit media exposure to reputable sources. Establish healthy self-care routines. We can control how we take care of ourselves. Get outside — it’s summer! Enjoy nature, eat nutritious food, and develop healthy sleep practices. Turn off the television and put down the phone at least 30 minutes before bedtime.
Engage strengths – Reflect on what healthy coping mechanisms have worked for you in the past. Reach into your toolbox and use existing skills, enhance them, or develop new strategies to protect your mental health. Reframing situations, breaking information down into manageable pieces, and remembering to laugh can help cope with difficult situations.
Be mindful of media exposure – Be aware if you find yourself “doomscrolling.” Spending excessive time reading negative news can have a detrimental impact on your mood, making you feel sad, anxious, or angry.
Stay in the present – Focus on the moment rather than worrying about impending doom. Your nervous system will remain on high alert if you focus on future negative events. Practice mindfulness, yoga, deep breathing, and grounding techniques. Be in the here and now.
Maintain social connections & support – Keep in touch with friends and loved ones. Maintain open communication, discuss positive topics, and plan pro-social activities like volunteering. Join recreational or sporting groups, or take your dog to the dog park — a great chance to chat with other pet owners. The priority is to avoid isolation and prevent feeling overwhelmed.
Establishing healthy practices regarding media exposure in our daily lives can be challenging. It requires a concentrated effort to protect yourself and your loved ones, ensuring you receive necessary information while creating boundaries to filter out persistent negative messages. Striving for a healthy balance between staying informed and avoiding feeling overwhelmed is key.
Invest your energy into being present, enjoying time with your loved ones, and living a healthy life.
If you're going through a challenging time or need support for a family member, we encourage you to visit our Family Mental Health webpage. There, you'll find a range of helpful resources, including the MFS US Family Counsellor and the Family Information Line (FIL) at 1-800-866-4546.
