Hey lovebug,

Good grief. 

The world is feeling extra stressful right now, right?

Lately, everyone I talk to falls into one of two camps:

1. “I can’t stop reading the news."
2. “I can’t even look at the news.”

Either way? It’s exhausting. It’s overwhelming. It’s heartbreaking. And it leaves you wondering, what the heck do I do when everything feels so scary and uncertain?

Well, I’ve got some ideas—and they’re not the typical ones you’ll find in a self-help book.

Let’s start with the one you might not expect:

Lift something heavy.

I know. You’re probably like, “Wait… exercise? Really?”

But yes—really.

When the world feels shaky, building your physical strength can help you feel steady again. 

You don’t have to be a bodybuilder! 

You can go for a walk with a weighted vest, do a few squats, or lift some 10-pound dumbbells for 15 minutes. Even that helps. 

When your mind is spinning, grounding into your body brings you back to your own power.

Go to bed way earlier. Like, 9:30pm early.

You might think that’s a bedtime for young kids, but listen: you’re probably more tired than you realize.

When you're sleep-deprived, the world feels a lot scarier. 

More rest = clearer thinking. Give yourself permission to really rest.

Do not. I repeat. Do not look at your phone for the first hour of your day. 

If you do NOTHING ELSE, do this one. 

You want a low-dopamine morning. 

Get up and meditate. 

Get up and get outside (as soon as you can) and get full-spectrum light in your eyeballs and on your skin.

Get up and drink warm water with sea salt and a squeeze of lemon. 

Get up and journal. 

Get up and string all these together (that’s what I do). 

Please, please, pleeeaaaase don’t get up and jar yourself with your damn phone.

Do not check your email. 

Do not check social media.

Do not check the news. 

Do not even do the Wordle! (Seriously!)

You will feel awful + you will continue to seek out that same form of dopamine all day (ie. from your phone).

You gain control over your phone usage by how you use it in the morning. Avoid it for the first 60-90 minutes. 

You can do this. I promise. 

Slow. It. Down.

Take a moment right now and notice one thing with your senses. 

Maybe it's the scent of your tea or the feeling of soft fabric on your skin. 

Tune in just to that. Let it take up your whole focus for 30 seconds. 

Now pick something else in your direct environment. 

These micro-moments of mindfulness calm your nervous system and remind you that hey… look around… right now, you’re okay.

Take an action that will have a positive effect within a 20 mile radius.

When the world starts to feel crazy, we get it in our heads that WE NEED TO SOLVE EVERYTHING. 

Now!

Actually, yesterday!

And the truth is, that you cannot solve everything. 

But we can help within a 20 mile radius. 

How about volunteering? 

How are the elders in your community doing?

Can you donate some kids clothes to a local shelter?

Can you foster a child?

These are things that YOU CAN DO NOW. 

There is always someone who needs help and support locally. 

Always. 

And there’s always something you can do to help. 

Small actions add up. I promise. <3

I hope something in today’s post helped you. If you know someone who needs it, pass it on. 

We’re going to get through this. 

Sending you the biggest hug,
Rebecca*