Strategies for Coping With Tragedies in the News

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Strategies for Coping With Tragedies in the News

It's easy to get caught up in the negativity of the news. There are stories of violence, natural disasters, and heartbreaking personal tragedies that can make us feel overwhelmed and helpless. But it's important to remember that we're not alone in our reactions; other people are feeling the same way. Here are some tips to cope with tragedies in the news.

Turn Off the News

If you're finding the news too overwhelming, try taking a break from it. You don't have to consume the news 24/7. Give yourself some time to relax and decompress. Maybe only check in once a day or every few days. This can help ease some of the anxiety and stress that comes with constantly being bombarded with bad news.

Don't Read the Comments

If you're struggling to cope with tragedies in the news, the first piece of advice is simple: don't read the comments. The comment section of any online news article is almost guaranteed to be a cesspool of negativity, and it's not going to do anything to help you cope with what you're already feeling. If anything, it's likely to make things worse. So save yourself the aggravation and just avoid it altogether.

Acknowledge Your Feelings

The news can be overwhelming and it's normal to feel sad, scared or even angry when you see reports of tragedy and violence. It's important to acknowledge your feelings and give yourself time to process what you've seen and heard. You might want to talk to someone you trust about what you're feeling.

Focus on the Positive

When it feels like the world is full of bad news, it's important to remember the good things that are happening too. Take some time each day to focus on the positive things in your life and the world around you. This can help you maintain a more balanced perspective.

Be Mindful of Your Triggers

There's no way to avoid tragedies happening in the world, but you can be proactive about how you cope with them. Be aware of your triggers and take steps to protect yourself from them. If you know that seeing or hearing about certain types of tragedies will upset you, try to avoid exposure to those types of news stories. And if you do see or hear about something that disturbs you, take some time to process it in a healthy way. Talk to someone you trust about what you're feeling, or journaling about your thoughts and reactions can also be helpful.

Seek Out Support

When you're feeling overwhelmed by tragic news, it's important to seek out support from loved ones or a professional. Talking about how you're feeling can help you process what's happened and start to cope with it. You may also find it helpful to read or watch positive news stories, or to do something nice for someone else. Remember that you're not alone in how you're feeling, and that there are people who care about you and want to help.

Give Back

In the face of tragedy, it can be healing to help others. Here are a few ways you can pitch in to assist other people and help yourself feel better at the same time:

Donate to relief efforts. If you can afford it, consider donating money or supplies to organizations working to help those affected by the tragedy.
Volunteer your time. Many organizations need volunteers to help with the relief effort. If you have the time and ability, consider lending a hand.
Spread the word. Share information about relief efforts with your friends and family so that they can also help out if they are able.
Reach out. If you know someone who was affected by the tragedy, reach out to them and offer your support. Just being there for someone can make a world of difference.

Tragedies are often unavoidable, but the strategies above can help you cope with these situations.

Want to learn more? Check out all of the courses offered by Aspyn Wellness.