5 Things to Do When You’re Stressed Out by the News

There's a lot happening in the world today and there's no shortage of bad news.

And guess what? It’s okay if you’re not okay. It’s alright to feel exhausted and overwhelmed.

But know you’re not alone. I see you. I support you. I’m here with you.

With that in mind, I want to share five things you can do right now if you’re stressed out about recent events in the news.

1) Focus on what you can control. Much of the stress we experience is from worrying about things we’re unable to change. One powerful way to shift your focus right now is by creating a working plan for 2022. Having a plan (even if it needs to be changed or modified down the road) helps us lower stress levels and more effectively tackle distractions that may pop-up.

If you need help getting started, grab the free 2022 Life Planning Guide. This free guide walks you through the process of creating a solid plan for this for how you want to show and make a difference in your personal and professional life.

2) De-stress from the news. Polling data consistently show the news is a significant source of stress in our lives—it often stresses us out more than it keeps us informed.

My sister and colleague Ananda Leeke share’s a simple method you can use to manage news-related stress (and other types of stress) using the Thriving Mindfully De-Stress Tool. Check it out here.

3) Practice physical distancing from your devices. As our reliance on technology increases, so do our levels of stress and burnout. But it doesn’t have to be this way. While technology can disrupt our work and life, when used intentionally, it can also help us be healthier, more mindful, and more productive.

I recently shared three simple ways to address technology-related stress and exhaustion. Check out my tips here.

4) Reclaim your commute. Before the pandemic, it was much easier to compartmentalize your workweek with things like commutes, weekend plans, and Monday morning banter. The pandemic has replaced those rituals with more work and personal responsibilities. This is one reason I recommend reclaiming your commute time as a way to find and sustain balance in the "new normal."

My colleague Beth Kanter shares tips for doing exactly this in her latest post on #fakecommutes. Check it out here.

5) Take positive action. Find a way to get involved in a way that feels right for you. This could be donating to a cause you care about, writing an elected official, or, in my case, sharing my Zoom account with local groups that need a safe space to meet online during the pandemic.

How are you holding up? Let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear from you.

This article was originally published in January 2021 and has been updated to reflect current events.

P.S. Need coaching or training support for yourself or your organization? Let’s schedule a chat to discuss how we can work together. You can book a call here to get the ball rolling.

Meico Marquette Whitlock is a digital wellness and leadership coach who helps changemakers create lasting work-life and tech-life balance so that they can do good work better. Meico is the founder and CEO of Mindful Techie, author of the Intention Planner , and a certified mindfulness teacher. He has worked with organizations such as Blackbaud, Network for Good, Cigna, Greenpeace, and the World Wildlife Fund. He has been featured on ABC News, Fox 5, Radio One, and at events such as the Nonprofit Technology Conference. Learn more at mindfultechie.com or connect with him on LinkedIn or Instagram.