If the world feels heavy here’s three things that could help:

1. Limit your exposure to the media

How often are you getting caught up in ‘doom scrolling’ ? Our brains are desperately seeking certainty and reassurance at the moment but what we’re actually finding the opposite. We can get stuck in a loop of continually checking the media as it feeds into our fears and needs for safety. Set yourself some boundaries around your exposure to the media. Consider which sources you’re checking and how frequently. Start with establishing some time free from the media when you wake up in the morning and before you go to sleep at night.

2. Don’t invalidate your feelings

You don’t have to be at the centre of the crisis for your feelings to be valid. We can compare our feelings and situation to others in an attempt to minimise, invalidate or discount our feelings. Invalidating your feelings won’t make someone else’s experience easier or more difficult but it will make it harder for you to take care of mental health.

3. Think about what you need to stay well

We don’t all respond in the same way to a crisis. Some of us will already be at our maximum emotional and mental capacity and need to rest. Some of us will struggle with feeling powerless and may be helped by taking action. There are no rights or wrongs and what you need may change from hour to hour, day to day. Check in with yourself regularly and consciously consider what you need to stay well.

The current crisis is taking place two years after the start of a global pandemic. Following which many of us were already burnt out and struggling. If it feels heavy or overwhelming or is having an ongoing negative impact on your mental health, help is available. Contact your GP, MHFA or get in touch with us for information of support services.