Coping with difficult world news

[Daisydreamer]

Hi Forums Community, 

We are no strangers to difficult world news, but for many of us it might feel like the shocking or difficult news stories are coming in more frequently at the moment. We have been hearing on the forums that there are lots of emotions coming up around news stories coming out of Europe at the moment including fear, helplessness, despair, sadness, anger, shock and trauma. If you are feeling any of these feelings, you are not alone

Coping with shocking news stories can be really challenging, and we want to create a space where you can talk about the impact of the news stories you are reading, and how you are managing the emotions that might be coming up for you. 

What feelings have been coming up for you when reading the news?

What strategies or ways have you been coping with upsetting or shocking news content?

If you aren't sure where to start, or would like some more ideas to help you cope with difficult world news, SANE also has a number of fact sheets you can read over. 

Coping with shocking news events

Tips for coping with the effects of trauma

Dealing with a trauma event when you are living with a mental health concern

Let's look after ourselves and each other

[Former-Member]

Hi @Daisydreamer & members

In all honesty I have intentionally not been watching the news with the latest difficult world events. Knowing my own sensitivities around being impacted by traumatic information I really limit the amount of what I take in. 

For me why I do the above, b/c it makes me feel extremely sad and helpless and it can be a fine line for being aware of it but also not having it be impacting the capacity to engage in life for ourselves in a way that is best for each of us.

So when it comes to strategies for coping with upsetting or shocking news,
🔹 one thing I tend to come back to are various body awareness practices, - things that connect me into my body so that I am feeling more grounded in my space & surroundings. Whether that is a walk & intentionally taking in the things I am seeing, hearing or feeling.

🔹 Creating art with my hands is also a way to get me out of my head & express intense feelings - even if it’s a focused scribble drawing.

🔹 Having conversations with others that are not centred around bad news is also very useful during these times.

Keen to hear from others members here & what you’ve discovered for yourself. 🧡

[Owen45]

Very well said 

[Former-Member]

Hello @Former-Member @Daisydreamer and people on this thread.  

You can empty negative thoughts from your mind using 417hz solfeggios off you tube which wipes out all negativity. I play it off and on if I have experienced something that has affected me emotionally and has left me feeling sad

Crystals are good too if its your forte` and you know how to work with them properly.  Tree Agate enables you to walk through the gardens of life being unaffected by negative news.  Magnetite is also an all round stone to keep negativity at bay.

You can use hand seals or mudras if you are into yoga or not or maybe just like the idea of instant biofeedback so you have a quick tool for inner peace and to calm and settle the body.  I have started using the peace mudra (Mantangi Mudra) whenever you want to experience deep inner peace. Here’s how to perform Mantangi Mudra: Interlace the fingers of both hands. Bring your middle fingers together in a steeple position. Extend both fingers upwards towards the sky.  A video of its here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEy5N16pq3o&t=5s 

[Former-Member]

Like you @Former-Member I have found various non-mainstream alternative therapies over the years that have made a difference in my overview of my wellbeing.

I looked up the music you referenced - I found it very calming and can see how it might help soothe someone emotionally having it on in the background. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea but really like you having the opportunity to share it here. 

It’s really nice to hear & see the diversity in what supports people in this community. 💛

[Former-Member]

Thank-you @Former-Member its hard to know what to say sometimes as you don't wish to alienate anyone with your beliefs.  For some folk it won't be in their line of thought.  I'm glad you like Solfeggios. They work great with headphones for added benefit. I hope you are doing well and staying on top of things 💟 and thanks for your nice comments xxoo

[Teej]

Struggling with this a bit. I have been obsessed with tuning in 24/7. I cry and just keep hoping something will change the outcome. I feel like if I don’t keep updated I’m letting everyone who is caught up in the war down. I know this is irrational but I’m not sure where the line is between knowing and understanding about what the Ukrainian people are going through and what is changing my mood and feeding the obsessive part.