Do you often feel worried about the things that are going on in the world? Do you find yourself glued to the news, or ignoring it completely? Do you “doomscroll” for hours and just end up feeling worse?
If any of this sounds familiar, you are so far from alone.
In some ways, 2024 can feel like a challenging time to be alive. From the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 to climate change, the cost of living crisis, and major geopolitical conflicts across the globe, you might feel as though you are constantly being bombarded with one piece of bad news after another.
However, it is possible to navigate these difficult times with strength and resilience and find hope and happiness.
As we navigate life, it’s essential to remember that fear is a natural response to uncertainty. However, allowing fear to overwhelm us is not the answer. Read on for some of our top strategies to help you.
Get the Facts
When it feels as though everything is terrible and falling apart, it can be tempting to bury your head in the sand… or to fall down a rabbit-hole of worst-case scenarios. Instead, try to get the facts.
Seek out reliable sources of news and information, ask those who are informed and educated about the subject at hand, and steer clear of sensationalism or biased reporting. Arm yourself with accurate information, and you will begin to feel less hopeless and more prepared.
Do What You Can
None of us can save the world alone, and many of the biggest issues facing humanity today are simply out of the hands of individuals. However, this doesn’t mean there is nothing you can do! In fact, one person can make a big difference. So if you are afraid or feeling hopeless, why not channel those feelings into doing something worthwhile?
Here are a few things you could do:
- Volunteer for a charity or non-profit doing valuable work
- Donate to a worthwhile cause, if you can afford to
- Take a step to reduce your personal footprint (for example, commit to recycling more, ditching fast fashion, or taking one fewer flight each year.)
- Use your voice to speak out about important causes on social media
- Look through your wardrobe and donate the things you don’t use
- Reach out to a friend, neighbour, or someone in need and see how you can help them
- Log Off Regularly
Being “plugged in” 24/7 isn’t good for us and being bombarded with constant news and updates is both unnatural and unhealthy for the human brain. You can help yourself a lot simply by logging off regularly and spending time unplugged and in the real world.
Why not commit to one or two social media-free days each week? You could also make a date with your partner or a friend in which you both commit to switching off your phones and focusing completely on being in the moment with one another.
Cultivate Joy in Your Life
We all need and deserve joy and happiness in our lives. You might feel as though it is selfish to do things that make you happy when so many bad things are happening in the world, but it is actually the opposite. Joy is how we will survive and how we will maintain the energy to keep fighting to make the world a better place. So, spend time with the people you love, engage in hobbies that replenish you, watch or read things that make you laugh, and make time for self-care.
Consume Positive Content
One of the problems with today’s media landscape is that it can feel like a continual barrage of bad news. But there are actually so many amazing things also happening, which may not be reported on (or not so widely covered.)
For all the problems facing the world today, there are brilliant and dedicated people striving to solve them. For every negative news story you hear, there are just as many leaps forward, acts of kindness, and hope-inspiring tales.
Seek out this good news and make sure that you are consuming just as much positive content as negative.
We love Positive News, a digital newspaper dedicated to “good journalism about good things”, the Good News Network, and the BBC’s Uplifting Stories section.
Practice Gratitude
Gratitude is all about being thankful for what you have, and research shows that a daily gratitude practice can support a healthier, happier life.
Why not write down three things every day that you are thankful for? This could be big things, like an amazing innovation you just read about in the news, or small things such as a delicious meal, a hug from a friend, or a good day at work.
Amidst the chaos and uncertainty of 2024, don’t forget to celebrate the small victories, savour life’s simple pleasures, and cherish the relationships that sustain you. In times of darkness, these moments of light are what keep us going.
Explore other articles in this series
8 Skills you develop when you explore different views
Handling difficult conversations: Deciding when to disagree and disengage
Having and hearing difficult conversations at work
How to be more empathetic to other people’s views and experiences
How to learn more about other people and their experiences
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