How to Cope With Negative News

Weltschmerz.  

Right now, the word that expresses my feelings best is the German word “Weltschmerz”. It translates to world pain, and it can be overwhelming and hard to manage. 

With everything going on right now, it’s important to don’t forget to take care of your mental health. That’s easier said than done, with all the bad news being so much more prominent than the good ones. I’m not saying it’s not right, it’s crucial that there is enough room for reliable information accessible for everyone. But there are a few things that we all can do to make sure we stay sane, and that’s what this article is about.

"Peace is not something you wish for; It's something you make, something you do, something you are and something you give away." – John Lennon 

What to do when the news get to you:

Be mindful, and take care of your health. First of all I don’t want you to worry. Being anxious is a normal human reaction, your feelings are normal. But it's important to replace unhealthy coping mechanisms with healthy alternatives. Instead of staying in bed, try to spend time in the sun, catch some rays and get active if possible. Keep taking time for yourself until you are you again. 

Manage consumption. Regulating your consumption of news can have a great impact. It's important to stay informed, but as with everything, allow yourself a break (from social media especially). What's important to me personally is: Check your sources! Where does a video or piece of information come from? Is the source reliable, can you see when and where a photo or video was taken? 

Speak to your friends and family. According to studies, a strong social network can help relieve stress, and expressing feelings and thoughts is essential for self-reflection (at least this is definitely true for me). It's also always good to hear different opinions, but again, not everything you hear might be true, so be aware of that, even if it's not always easy.

Focus on the positive. There's always a way to take action. Find out how you can help, donate and advocate peace. 

While I'm still actively trying to understand the situation, I am grateful for being part of an open, diverse and dedicated team, but I will set up an entire new blog post on how Team PURELEI is supporting Ukrainian people in need.

If you want to help or donate yourself, I've listed a few organizations below.

Love

Lauri