Disaster Fatigue

Even before COVID, we were getting wrung out. The 2019 hurricane season was EXTREMELY active. Then came the pandemic. And civil unrest. And wildfires. And food shortages. And record unemployment. And the election craziness. And January 6th. And Snowmageddon. One thing right after another. Non-stop. Sometimes it just felt like it was too much to handle.

I'm an old hand at dealing with this type of stuff. And even I am beginning to feel a bit worn down. Sometimes, I wish I could go to sleep and wake up the next day to find it has all been a bad dream!

If you feel this way too, trust me...you are not alone. There is a name for what you are feeling. It's called disaster fatigue and it's a real thing. And it can take a real toll on your physical, mental, and emotional health. All the negativity and stress just beats you up.

I don't know about you but I'm exhausted!

But what can we do about it? Everywhere we look, there's been bad news. Even now, as the pandemic is winding down and the election has been over for months, there is still discord and misinformation seemingly everywhere. Wildfires are once again burning in California and New Jersey. And today came the announcement that we can expect another "above average" Atlantic Hurricane season. Food prices are rising. And don't forget the gas shortage!

How do we deal with it all? How do you keep from drowning in despair when all we see is wave after wave of less-than-wonderful news? 

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to fight disaster fatigue. Here are some tips:

1. Turn off the news. Seriously. Just step away from the TV or social media or whatever you use to keep up with the world. It’s information overload lately. Try putting a limit on how much news you consume in a day. Continuous exposure to negative news can increase stress and anxiety.

2. Utilize relaxation techniques. Engaging in physical activities such as yoga or breathing exercises reduces stress and can help you gain a better perspective on things.

3. Self-care is critical right now. Don't forget the "me" time. Go for walk. Talk to a friend. Engage in a favorite hobby. Read. Meditate. Listen to music. Just take time to relax and recharge. 

4. Look for the positives. Instead of clicking on the latest gloom-and-doom headline, look for positive stories. Trust me, they're out there. You just may have to look a little harder for them.

5. Get your rest. During times of stress, getting the proper amount of sleep is essential to your health and well-being.

6. Volunteer. It's hard not to feel hopeless...that whatever you do, it doesn't matter. And maybe you can't stop the next hurricane or the latest round of violence. But you can help those who are in need. You can give your time to the groups and organizations that are fighting to improve these situations. 

It's tempting to just give up, throw up your hands and walk away. Why bother, right? But if everyone just gave up, where would this world be?

Don't do that. Acknowledge that we are all dealing with a whole lot of stuff right now. Then do what you need to do to take care of yourself and your family. And once you have done that, reach out to someone else who is going through this too. You will be amazed at how much better you feel. Trust me. I know.