3 Ways to Find Calm When the World Feels Out of Control

Your attitude and daily practices make can make a difference

Have the recent failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank (and near-misses of other banks like Credit Suisse) made you nervous?

That’s understandable. I had a few moments of shakiness myself. But I know how to center myself.

Given the chaotic nature of our times, it’s been one thing after the other since the emergence of the Coronavirus, wouldn’t it be wise to make sure your centering practices are up to par?

Here’s a mix of principles and practices that can help you navigate in a shaky world.

Deep Acceptance

Life is largely out of your control. The sooner you accept that and let go, the sooner you’ll be able to flow with whatever occurs.

Of course, you need to take personal responsibility and manage your affairs to the degree you can. You buy house insurance so you’ll be able to afford a new place if your current home is destroyed in a fire, flood, or lava eruption. You keep an emergency fund should you face a personal financial crisis. You do what you can and then let go.

Let go doesn’t mean you love the terrible things that happen. But you accept they’re an inevitable part of life, grieve if you suffer a loss, and move on.

That is far better than getting stuck in a pool of despair.

Practice Self-Care

Any crisis brings stress and often trauma too. Chronic stress can lead to a wide range of health issues from immune system problems to gut issues to anxiety and depression.

You don’t want to feel like a nervous wreck for days on end and then end up with an immune-system disorder. So make it a strong habit to practice self-care and stress reduction now. It will build your capacity to face whatever occurs in the future.

As you may know, I’ve written about it several times before, one of my favorite ways to reduce stress is to hold my fingers in sequence, a calming practice from the ancient art of Jin Shin Jyutsu. I explain how to do the 10-minute practice in this article:

• A Simple Way to Balance Your Emotions and Revitalize Your Body

I learned the following 8 Help-Now skills when I attended a trauma resource workshop after the 2018 lava eruption on the Big Island. They’re super simple, quick ways to calm your nervous system, which means they reduce stress. They can be especially helpful when unexpected news arrives:

• 8 Smart Ways to Quickly Calm Stress

Or choose your own favorite ways to reduce stress and practice them avidly now.

Community and Connection

I experienced the power of community when I lost my home and 99% of my possessions during the 2018 lava eruption.

Community members created a resource center where people could donate food and supplies for those who had been evacuated from or lost their homes entirely. People opened their spare rooms and couches to friends in need of shelter. The community held us.

I now live on a one-acre lot and my closest neighbor is a bit more than a stone’s throw away. But they’ve invited me to call them day or night should a personal emergency occur. They’ve offered to get groceries for me when I’ve been sick and of course, I offer to do the same for them.

We lead our separate lives but stay connected through small neighborhood gatherings three or four times a year.

Our troubled times may not be over yet, but hopefully, we’ll have some positive periods this year. Nevertheless, build your local network. It can truly help you survive if hard times hit.

How are you managing in these crazy times? Leave a message in the comments. I would love to hear.

[Image by Anastasiya Vragova]

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My Articles

Following you’ll find “friend” links to my articles on Medium. I haven’t been writing much lately so this time, in addition to the three relatively recent articles, I’ll share a few of my best articles on the topic of stress.

A “friend” link means you can read the articles for free without becoming a Medium member.  If you’d like to become a Medium member, please use my referral link listed below because I’ll earn a small but sweet bonus.

Enjoy!

• The Single-Most Important Thing I Could Tell You in 5 Minutes

• Don’t Wait for Spiritual Grace

• The Joy of Living in the World of Experience (expanded from e-letter)

• Happiness and Joy Reside in Deep Acceptance

A few favorites on better relationships:

• What It Means to Have an Anxious Attachment Style

• Am I Co-Dependent?

• Practical Medicine for Health the Divide from Brené Brown

If you'd like to support my writing and have unlimited access to all Medium articles, mine and thousands of others, please use my referral link and become a Medium member.  I'll earn a small commission, which helps me keep writing articles for you. Thanks very much!

And so you’re not confused, most of my articles are double posted on my original blog, Always Well Within. But please use my Medium links. It helps to build my presence there.

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Until Next Time

We’ve had a reprieve from the almost constant rain with several sunny days. But thunderstorms will return for most of next week. I just bought new sandals at long last, but I won’t be wearing them during the next deluge! My newly planted starts will like it though.

I’m feeling brain-drained at the moment. I hope nasty typos haven’t snuck in. I’m ready for a relaxing afternoon.

Until next time, stay safe, be happy, and and be true to you.  Sending you all my love and best wishes.

xo Sandra

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