The World is Complicated... Or is it?
It's very easy when reading all the news headlines to feel that the world is getting more and more complex and difficult; feelings which raise worry and anxiety. This then affects your health, wastes energy - and actually slows down accomplishments, both at work and in your personal life.
But are things really more complicated?
We all have jobs, homes, cars, friends, relatives... and stuff we work on. Maybe the problem is, we just have TOO MUCH NEWS. We are surrounded by news, and it affects our judgement. There can be a crime halfway around the world but you still read about it and it gives the feeling that local crime is rampant. But maybe that is harder to assess than just seeing another headline.
Sociologists say that lasting change takes longer to achieve than people expect; which means the current headlines are unlikely to become lasting change. Broaden your perspective, and look at the pendulum of power - it does not swing just one way.
But are things really more complicated?
We all have jobs, homes, cars, friends, relatives... and stuff we work on. Maybe the problem is, we just have TOO MUCH NEWS. We are surrounded by news, and it affects our judgement. There can be a crime halfway around the world but you still read about it and it gives the feeling that local crime is rampant. But maybe that is harder to assess than just seeing another headline.
Sociologists say that lasting change takes longer to achieve than people expect; which means the current headlines are unlikely to become lasting change. Broaden your perspective, and look at the pendulum of power - it does not swing just one way.
What a Business Can Do
Talk to your staff and urge them not to read news during business hours; suggest they remove news apps from your home screen. Let them know that they are valued, their jobs are secure, and find ways to have fun sometimes - e.g. when you do team building exercises make it fun and not a chore. Help local charities when that is possible.
Give employees more opportunities to make change. People want to feel secure, and valued. Perhaps add flexibility on start times to help people avoid the worst commute - especially those returning from WFH. Ask your staff how the work environment could be more positive and fulfilling!
Give employees more opportunities to make change. People want to feel secure, and valued. Perhaps add flexibility on start times to help people avoid the worst commute - especially those returning from WFH. Ask your staff how the work environment could be more positive and fulfilling!
What Individuals Can Do
Many headlines are designed to raise anxiety, which is how they hold you captive. So just read less news. Exercise more, donate to good causes, and focus on your own accomplishments. Teach your children that when they go to bed to think only of their family and friends, and their achievements that day; and when they wake, to plan their day.
Learn breathing techniques - there are many ways to encourage your body to relax. And exercise more - almost everyone is exercising too little, yet studies show that exercise is more powerful for improving health (including mental health) than any pharmaceutical drug.
No one needs to focus on the negative - it only hurts the individual; it does not change anything, does not make the world better.
Learn breathing techniques - there are many ways to encourage your body to relax. And exercise more - almost everyone is exercising too little, yet studies show that exercise is more powerful for improving health (including mental health) than any pharmaceutical drug.
No one needs to focus on the negative - it only hurts the individual; it does not change anything, does not make the world better.
The Little Things Matter
Reassuring folks can be easy, short conversations. Talking about goals and ways to support others can energize people. Hug your friends more often. Spend more time listening to family members. At work, reviewing policies to ensure ethical standards are being met should be done every year.
There are many ways that people can become stressed - but so many more ways to address it and move forward in a positive, helpful, proactive way. Don't be afraid to be creative, to do something unusual or unexpected - and to just have fun.
There are many ways that people can become stressed - but so many more ways to address it and move forward in a positive, helpful, proactive way. Don't be afraid to be creative, to do something unusual or unexpected - and to just have fun.
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