Sunday Thoughts (it’s just too much)
COVID. Hurricanes. Wildfires. Civil unrest. An economy beaten and battered.
And now we're just weeks away from Election Day – with maybe weeks after that before we know who actually won.
Over and over. All at once. It never stops. It's too much!
If you're feeling a bit wrung out, you're certainly not alone. It feels like we're living in a nightmare at times, one we can't really wake up from.
And this is coming from me. (I should know better about how to cope with stress and uncertainty.)
It's bad enough when you are hurting. But if you're the least bit sympathetic, constant exposure to the suffering of others can also take a real toll on your physical and mental health.
Experts call what many of us are feeling right now "disaster fatigue."
Being constantly bombarded with negative stuff just beats you up. It creates a sense of doom.
It's exhausting.
So, what can we do about it?
How do we keep our heads above water, when it feels like we're drowning in bad news, with new waves crashing on us, one after the other?
For one, it's best to step away from the news, the social media, the whatever, deliberately, at least a few times a day.
Just go outside and breathe. Or close your eyes and rest for a moment.
And when you're ready to let the world back in, look for positive stories. They're out there, trust me.
The biggest danger is starting to believe that whatever you do, it doesn't matter.
But even if you alone can't stop hurricanes or wildfires from happening, you can donate or volunteer to help those who are suffering.
You can't stop the bombarding arguments back & forth related to the upcoming election. But you can vote.
If everyone just gave up, our world would really be in trouble. The worst thing you can do is throw up your hands and say "why bother?"
Don't do that. Take care of yourself. Acknowledge that we're all dealing with a whole lot.
And be the light for someone else who is dealing with this too. It will help you both feel better.
Trust me on that.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
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