If you’ve turned on the news, scrolled through your phone, or simply live in the U.S., you know things are … a bit chaotic right now. Living in the D.C. area, I see firsthand how many people are directly affected by the whirlwind of executive orders and policy shifts rolling out. Immigration changes, government jobs in limbo, legal debates over what can and can’t be done—it’s a lot. The uncertainty alone is enough to make your head spin.
And then, some mornings hit differently. Like waking up to the news of a tragic plane crash in the Potomac. A heartbreaking event, and before the facts are even clear, the political finger-pointing begins. It’s unsettling—not just the loss of life, but the immediate chaos of speculation, misinformation, and the creeping anxiety of wondering how those in power will handle it. Will decisions be made with care? Will there be accountability? Or just more noise? And that’s before we even get into doomscrolling.
Ah, doomscrolling. That sneaky little habit where you check the news for “just a minute” and suddenly, it’s been an hour, your jaw is clenched, and you’re in a worse mood than when you started. It’s like junk food for your nervous system—tempting, addictive, and leaves you feeling terrible afterward. We’re bombarded with so much information (and misinformation), and the weight of it all can feel overwhelming. Even if you’re not directly affected, you can feel it in the air—anxiety, fear, uncertainty. It’s collective, and for many, it’s inescapable.
Some people are holding even more than their fair share—counselors, therapists, educators, leaders, parents—people who are responsible for helping others navigate their own emotional storms. And let’s be real, even without an election cycle or major policy shifts, life itself is a lot. Add in all this external noise, and suddenly, it’s easy to feel like we’re just walking stress balls ready to explode.
So what do we do? We tend to our nervous systems. We find ways to regulate. We create space for calm in the middle of the chaos, because if we don’t, we’re just running on fumes. And let’s be honest, no one thrives when they’re in a constant state of fight-or-flight for four years straight (been there, done that, not fun).
For me, that means setting boundaries with how much news I consume. It means reminding myself that while I care deeply about what’s happening, I also need to be present in my own life—for my family, for my son, and for my own well-being. It means knowing when to put the phone down and tune in to something real, something grounding—whether that’s movement, meditation, or just a few quiet moments before my 5:30 AM workout (yes, I know, I’m that person). But those moments of stillness and movement? They change everything. They set me up to be a better mom, a better human, and a whole lot less likely to spiral into stress.
So, what do you need today? What helps you feel grounded when the world feels like it’s spinning? Whatever it is—do that. Take care of yourself. Set boundaries. Move your body. Breathe. And most importantly, remember:
“You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.” – Jon Kabat-Zinn