When everything you read and see on the news is saddening, frustrating, and uncertain, it can seem overwhelming and cause feelings of anxiety and hopelessness. And even if you wanted to take a break from it all, it's really hard to escape it if everyone around you is talking about the latest events and it's all over your social media feeds. It may help to take action where you can, but it's also important to take care of your mental health and well-being. There's that saying, "You can't pour from an empty cup." You can't support others around you when you are emotionally (and maybe even physically) drained.
And all of this can really make a big impact on your mental health. It's easy to feel anxious and helpless right now. "Anxiety lives in the unknown, and this situation is constantly changing and contributes to a lot of uncertainty," explains Madeleine DiLeonardo, MEd, LPC, NCC, a licensed professional counselor and the founder of Mind Body and Soul by DiLeonardo Wellness.