Seven Tips on How to Restore Your Sense of Balance in this Chaotic World

Our lives have been shattered by the constant daily news of critical events that are challenging our sense of security, peace and comfort. The more we are caught up with the depressing information that have been revealed in the media, the more difficult it is for us to be calm and positive.  Every day, when we wake up, we're bombarded with depressing or anxiety-inducing news stories. It's like a mental assault that can make it difficult to feel safe or be present in our lives.

As we live through this tumultuous time, our energy level and mood may be affected. It can be tough to maintain stability and productivity in our lives. We can't ignore the fact that these events are happening because they are part of some underlying problems in our society. They indicate something needs to change: otherwise they will keep happening and will get worse.

That is why I always try to look at my life from a positive perspective. It is precisely for this reason that I would like to address the recent critical events that have shaken the lives of many people around the world. With all this going on out there, it can be tempting to just shut myself off from the world and turn off the news but what's happening around us is real and matters deeply. It doesn't make things better—in fact, it could make things worse. So how do we cope up? How can we remain sane while still being informed?

There are no easy answers when it comes to dealing with the difficult things going on in our country and around the world. But if you feel like your life is in a constant state of upheaval because of everything you've been seeing, hearing, and reading, this one's for you.

Here are some simple tips that can help you restore your sense of balance:

1.    Leave time each day to relax and unwind.

Set aside 30 minutes or so just for you. Give yourself permission to escape from all the negativity and focus on something positive. Get out of your head because the more you sit and think about what's going on, the more you'll get drained of energy and motivation. Do something fun, or just relax—whatever works for you! Listen to music, or read a book-whatever helps you feel relaxed and calm.

2.    Get out into nature.

It's scientifically proven that spending time in nature improves your mental health, so go for a walk in a park or even your backyard—anywhere that gives you some distance from what's going on around you will do the trick.

3.    Take care of your body.

It may sound trite, but it's true: Taking care of yourself—your body, your mind, your soul—is the best way to prepare yourself for the day's onslaught of information (be it political intrigue or natural disasters). It's important to eat well, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep. Taking care of your physical health will help you feel better overall.

4.    Reach out to friends and family when you need support.

Sometimes talking with a good friend can help us get through tough times. If you don't feel comfortable talking to friends or family about politics or world news, find a group that does feel safe for you to discuss those topics with—an online community, an interest group at work, etc.—and have those conversations there. There's nothing like learning from others.

5.    Focus on what you can control.

It is easy to get lost in all of the negativity and hopelessness but we should remember that there is one thing that we can control and that is ourselves and how we react to situations. We may not be able to change other people's decisions but we can choose our own actions, thoughts and feelings. We can focus on what we can do to better our lives and how we can help make a change in this world in our own little ways.

6.    Take a break from social media/news/politics.

The problem with social media nowadays is that it has become such an integral part of our lives, affecting us on a daily basis whether it be at work or at home. Social media has become so addictive that many people find themselves checking their phones multiple times throughout the day, which makes them lose focus on what they are doing.

7.    Stay informed without getting overwhelmed.

Choose a trusted news source to minimize the amount of false information you're exposed to. Make sure it's not the only thing you're looking at, though—mix in other content with your news consumption to keep things balanced.

What we need to realize is that there are things in this world that are out of our control. We have bad people in our society and they will continue to do bad things to us even as we live our lives in good habits and positive efforts. 

As individuals, we must try to find the balance. We need to find a way to let go of all negative things (news and other articles) we come across and replace them with positive things that can make us live happily. We need to understand more about the world we live in rather than worrying about what is happening and what is not happening. Unfortunately, there are bad events that have happened in our society, but from these bad events, we can learn how to treat others in the future better.