"Here's what I'm going to tell you: Things are really scary right now. And if you are feeling overwhelmed, if you are feeling anxious, if you feel this sense that things are out of control, I want you to know that you're mentally well. That is a healthy response to what is a very chaotic and overwhelming state of the world."
"What is out there has already happened. It is beyond your control right now, but you get to choose how you respond to it. That's the 'let me' part. 'Let me' decide what I want to think about things. 'Let me' decide what I want to do or don't do. 'Let me' decide whether or not I'm going to let these very normal, mentally healthy feelings rise up and run me over,"
Feelings of overwhelm, anxiety, and a sense that things are out of control are mentally healthy responses to a chaotic and overwhelming world. External events have already happened and may be beyond individual control, but individuals retain the power to choose their responses. Choosing how to respond includes deciding what to think about, what actions to take or avoid, and whether to let emotions dominate behavior. Paying attention, settling oneself, and becoming more present enable constructive responses. Active engagement such as volunteering and aligning with core values produces change and personal wellbeing. Expressing beliefs and contributing locally fosters a sense of agency and starts broader change.
Read at Axios
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