Anxiety Is in the Air — and You're Not Imagining It
If you’ve been feeling more anxious lately — feeling overwhelmed by the headlines, or feeling discouraged by the state of our world — you’re not alone. I’ve noticed that there’s a noticeable rise in collective anxiety, and it’s not just personal. It’s political. It’s economic. It’s global. We are living in unique and uncertain times like we’ve never experienced before.
I have noticed personally and professionally increased anxiety over the past several months, with major stressors including rising living costs, global conflict and political instability both here and abroad. For many people, the uncertainty isn’t abstract — it’s in the grocery store, the job market, the news scroll, on social media, and in our own nervous systems.
It makes sense. The world feels less predictable than it used to. Long-standing institutions are shifting or crumbling. Elections in powerful nations carry ripple effects that touch every corner of the globe.
But amid the noise and stress, it’s important to remember that while we can’t control the chaos out there, we can support ourselves in how we respond to it and how much we expose ourselves to it. So what can we do when everything feels like too much?
1. Acknowledge what you're feeling.
Your nervous system is responding to a very real sense of instability. Recognizing that can actually help calm your system.
2. Set limits on news and social media.
Exposing ourselves to the news puts many of us in fight or flight- our body responds the same way it would if we were under threat of a wild animial — with tension, racing thoughts, and a surge of stress hormones. Constant updates can make the world feel like it’s burning 24/7. Choose trusted sources, and give yourself permission to unplug from it or change the conversation at social gatherings and the water cooler.
3. Move your body.
You don’t have to run a marathon. Even a short walk, a stretch, or dancing around your kitchen can help release tension and lower cortisol levels.
4. Look for what brings meaning.
It could be connecting with family, supporting a cause, or savoring the quiet rituals of your day — making tea, watering your plants, reading to your kids. Small things matter more than ever.
There’s no quick fix to the world’s problems, and pretending everything’s fine doesn’t make it so. But tending to our mental health — in small, intentional ways — is a form of quiet resistance. It’s a reminder that even when the world feels shaky, we can still root ourselves in what’s real, what’s nourishing and what gives us hope.