Getting Grounded When the News Cycle Has Your Head Spinning
News headlines can be stressful in general. Having said that, the non-stop alerts about lay offs, fiscal cuts, human rights violations, and the next group of people being targeted with harmful legislative changes that we’ve been seeing lately are sure to create feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and overwhelm. At LifeSpring, the people we work with are kind, conscientious human beings who care about the world and care about others. They’re the people who are deeply bothered when they see harm being done to others or the environment.
Small, but practical steps to ground yourself
So.....what do we do when our heads are spinning and our hearts are hurting? That's what today's blog is all about! I'm giving you a list of small, but practical steps you can take to find your peace and get grounded again.
Close your eyes and scan your body from head to toe. Be on the lookout for a place in your body that feels quiet and calm. The place you find might seem strange (like your elbow or tip of your nose), but that's OK. Notice the feeling of calm and let yourself sit with that feeling.
Remember the people around you who share your values and who care about the things that you care about. Personally, I take comfort in thinking about our team here at LifeSpring. When I'm overwhelmed by the chaos, I remember the people who are working here because they too care about people.
Be an observer who is intentional about spotting positive interactions. Lately, when I'm running errands, I've been struck by the many positive interactions I've experienced or observed. These real-world experiences are such a stark contrast to the comments we might be seeing online. Pay attention for the positive.
Be a person who is kind ON PURPOSE. We can't control others, but we can choose to show up with kindness, thoughtfulness, and care when we're interacting with others, even if it's at the grocery store. In the midst of heaviness and overwhelm, our individual words and actions can be a positive spark in someone's day.
Ground yourself with your 5 senses. Create a sensory tool kit that you can keep with you in your car or on your desk at work. Use it when you need to be brought back to the present moment.
Catch yourself when you get sucked into the news cycle or your social media feed. Do a digital detox if you need.
Catch yourself when you get caught up in a negative thought spiral. Our therapists can teach you a variety of strategies for managing racing thoughts or worrisome thoughts about the future.
Be open and honest about your concerns in therapy. There are lots of topics that are considered taboo, but politics, sex, religion, spirituality, etc. are topics that are ON the table in therapy!
This is just one list to get you started!! I hope you've found at least ONE strategy that you can try to help you regain your grounding and inner-peace.
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Interested in Online & In-Person Counseling for Mindfulness and Grounding Work?
If you’re a Marylander who knows that counseling is the direction you need to take, the therapists at LifeSpring Counseling Services are here to help. We offer online counseling services for mindfulness, depression, anxiety, trauma, and grief and loss. We also offer Brainspotting as a specialized service, and Brainspotting can be done online, too!
Here’s how you can get started! Online and in-person counseling for mindfulness and grounding work aren’t the only services offered at our Baltimore, MD office.
The counselors and social workers at our Maryland office also offer counseling services for trauma, grief and loss, boundary setting, communication skills, and difficult life transitions. We also offer specialized counseling services including Brainspotting and spiritually-integrated counseling. Because we are located next to several local universities, we also work with college students and international students.
Written by: Melissa Wesner, LCPC
At LifeSpring Counseling Services, we provide individual therapy for political stress, anxiety, and worry. If that’s something that’s bothering right now, our team of Maryland-based therapists are here to help! We provide telehealth to adults across the state of Maryland and in-person services at our Baltimore City office.
