When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed In Our World….Take a Break.
The past few weeks have been dizzying for everyone. Highs and lows, the instant connection to social media we experience daily doesn’t necessarily give us a reprieve from information onslaught. Whether you want to or not, information overload can cause many to feel the heavy weight of the world’s issues.
Don’t get me wrong - sometimes they are uplifting and sometimes we search the information out. More than ever before, we have information thrust at us, often without the option to turn away. Part of why so many felt 2016’s ending was welcome was carrying the burden of so many issues, events, problems, joys, heartaches and more. Even if everything in your own world is joyous and uplifting, it can be hard to feel anything other than downtrodden, and even depressed.
I am not saying we should ignore important issues; on the contrary, the connection to the world at my fingertips is empowering when I see so many engaged in so much hopeful, inspiring work around our great nation, such as yesterday’s Women’s Marches around the country. They brought me great joy and elation to know so many of us are connected and stand together.
At times, we need to remove ourselves from it. The weight and the load. The highs and the lows.
So in such a connected, Facebook-in-our-veins life, what do we do?
Take a break.
Take a break from your news feed, even if it’s just for a morning, or afternoon. Put down the phone and grab a book, a movie, a cup of tea or coffee, or your children and loved ones.
Go for a walk. Get outside, even just to the mailbox, to get up and moving. The stimulation of blood flow and getting your body up and about will be uplifting in and of itself. It will also give you quiet, alone time with your own thoughts, which can be peaceful and a welcome change.
Accomplish a "nagging task." Clear out your closets. Gretchen Rubin, the famous author of The Happiness Project, writes of her experience decluttering and making small resolutions that she turns to during times of feeling downtrodden. Simple victories of clearing the chaos of your own home (even if it’s just the silverware drawer) can help clear space in your mind.
Write down what you’re thankful for. Write one sentence each day that summarizes a positive part of the day. Even if it’s just that you made it through; sometimes, that’s enough! Looking back on the moments over time you will begin to feel the wonderful summaries of your experience of life.
When you’re ready, plug back in. You may feel a little better equipped to listen, be compassionate and empathetic, to be inspired and uplifted, to be loud and courageous.
Above all, by taking care of your own load when it is heavy, you are better able to carry the load that we place on ourselves of humanity.
The most important thing to remember, when the feeling of your cup running over hits, is that you are not alone. We’re all here. We’re all in this together. And some days, that’s all we need to remember.
*If you're looking for more ideas on lifting your mood, I highly recommend Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project. Her blog, at www.gretchenrubin.com, also contains great day-to-day tips for living a connected and also uplifting life.