Imani Tailly, News Writer 

I’m sure most readers are aware of the recent events that have been happening across the United States. From the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife to the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by ICE agents in Minneapolis, the world is in a state of chaos, confusion, anger, and sadness, and it can weigh heavily on us all. Although many of us want to stay informed, the news can feel like too much to deal with. With so many sources of information, from traditional news outlets to social media apps like Instagram and TikTok, it’s hard to avoid it coming to us all at once. This article shares some tips that I have implemented to help manage my stress and anxiety over the state of the world. My hope is that these suggestions help you keep your peace in these hard times. 

Give Yourself a Break 

One of the biggest things I’ve done to help with my stress over the state of the world is limiting my time on social media and reading the news. With breaking news alerts popping up all the time and my unhealthy habit of doomscrolling on social media, I would see back-to-back articles and videos on what’s happening around the country and the world. The best thing I did when I would feel my heart start racing with anger and frustration was to just put my phone down and find something else I like to do. That can be a bit of gaming, crocheting, or just listening to my favorite artists—anything to give my mind and heart a break. This is probably the biggest step I took to protect my peace. If you struggle to put down your phone, setting up app time limits can also help reduce the amount of negative news you see. 

Take Some Time to Focus on the Good 

A lot of news reporting focuses on tragedies and major events. For as much horrific news as there is, there is good news as well. One site I found and follow on Instagram is GoodGoodGood. GoodGoodGood is a news site dedicated solely to sharing good news. You can find articles like Every smash burger at this NC restaurant goes toward fighting childhood cancer, and ones connected to major events that give positive news out of those areas, such as “Minnesota has one of the highest concentrations of Korean adoptees in the United States. Here’s how they’re protecting each other during ICE raids” and “Minneapolis cafe vows to be 100% free to ‘everyone except ICE’ as long as agents are in MN.” There’s also a creator who goes by That Good News Girl and shares positive, inspiring, and sometimes just funny stories every day. She is on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. Her videos and articles have put a smile on my face many times after being caught in a loop of bad news. I highly recommend finding a good news creator to follow. With everything going on in the world, being able to get a break and hear a positive story really helps. 

Connect Offline 

A big way to disconnect from the negativity is to enjoy being with friends. Whether that’s just walking around campus after class, going to eat at your favorite campus restaurant, or going off campus if you can; enjoy the people you have around you. I was recently introduced to the Gate City Guide. It’s a weekly collection of events happening in Greensboro. Because of it, I was able to go to my first card show where I had an amazing time and got a much-needed break from the depression of the world. There are also on-campus events all the time. In emails from the university or if you check school websites, you can find many things to go to. ACE (Activities & Campus Events) is having tons of events in the lead up to Valentine’s Day like Cupid’s Mailing Services and Are You Going? | Game Show Edition. There’s also Crafting Good Fortune, a celebration for the Lunar New Year. I encourage you to get out and enjoy the world and the people you love; they can be the greatest comfort in these times. 

As I said, the goal of this article is to give resources to protect your mind, brain, and heart in a crazy world that can feel too heavy to hold. Hopefully at least one of these tips or resources can help you in these hard times. If you need more support or someone to talk to, campus psychological services is a great place to reach out to. Keep your head up and reach out for help and support. You’re not in this alone.