Staying Calm in Chaotic Times

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Monday, 01 September 2025

Written by Leo Babauta

These days, a lot of people are feeling anxiety about what’s going on in the world, and reading the news or looking at social media seems to trigger our fears and worries more than ever. But we can’t just bury our heads in the sand.

So how do we stay informed but not get crushed with anxiety and overwhelm from current events?

There aren’t any easy answers, but here are a few ideas that may help:

Limit: Limit your checking of the news to twice a day, on two different sites you trust (that aren’t sensationalist, for the most part). Just check for 10–15 minutes each time.
Wait: Don’t get caught up in reacting instantly. Wait a day before sharing or reacting. Let yourself process it, let the anxiety die down, and breathe.
Focus: Keep yourself focused on what you can control. Are there any actions you can take in your local community? Can you get involved with a national campaign? Are there conversations you can have with people that will help the situation? If not, then focus on the actions you can actually take, and don’t take on the responsibility of having to fix everything or worry about everything in the world.
Notice: Practice noticing when you’re feeling anxiety or overwhelm or frustration, and notice how it feels in your body. Focus on the sensations, and let it be OK that you’re feeling things, without adding extra fuel to the fire.
Breathe: Some slow, deep breaths can really help calm your nervous system when you’re feeling riled up. A nice walk can help too, or sitting in some stillness.

These obviously don’t solve the problems of the world, but they can help you cope a little more. Take care of yourself, and don’t let yourself get too caught up in what you can’t control.

Click Here For Credits

Zen Habits is about finding simplicity and mindfulness in the daily chaos of our lives. It’s about clearing the clutter so we can focus on what’s important, create something amazing, find happiness. My name is Leo Babauta. I live in Davis, California with my wife and six kids, where I eat vegan food, write, run, and read. Source

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