Author of Be Ready for Anything and the online course Build a Better Pantry on a Budget
Times are tough, and we’re really just getting started. This situation is a long haul, and you need to get mentally prepared for that. You’ve got to learn to manage your stress.
It seems like the crisis the US finds itself in goes on and on, mutates, turns into a different crisis, and the cycle is never-ending. After all, nothing has been the same since 2020, when Covid mandates began. As Selco predicted, the virus wasn’t what we needed to worry about. It was the system.
Now, just as the mandates begin to get rolled back, the specter of World War 3 is on the horizon, with all the goings-on between Russia and Ukraine. Will anything come of this over here in America? It’s impossible to say, really. But people are buying potassium iodide tablets like they’re going out of style and collecting information about how to survive a nuclear war.
This isn’t to mention the prices of gas, food, and everything else skyrocketing for a population that still hasn’t recovered from nearly two years of mandates that restricted their ability to make money. Add to this shortages brought on by a variety of factors, and going to the store sure isn’t like it used to be.
Talk about stress.
It’s enough to keep a person under a constant burden of stress. It’s one thing after another. And the hits just keep on coming.
I have some bad news. They’re going to keep on coming. Don’t expect this to be over soon and for life to magically return to pre-Covid normal. There are some bells that cannot be unrung, and we’re watching cause and effect in real-time.
We are riding an avalanche caused by crazy policies not just from this administration but decades of bad decisions and increasingly accepted Marxist philosophies. This is not something that you or I can control.
And we’re in it for the duration.
If you think you’re stressed out now, just wait until this time next year when more draconian and nonsensical laws have passed, more people have died in pointless wars, and our economy continues to plummet. And then the year after that. And so on and so forth.
I know that sounds pessimistic and doomy, but please read on.
How do you handle the constant barrage of fear and bad news?
I know things are exceedingly difficult for many people right now. But you’ve got to get a handle on how this is affecting you mentally. We are just at the beginning of a long and difficult journey, and “you ain’t seen nothing yet.”
How do you handle the constant barrage of fear and bad news?
First, you’ve got to stop letting yourself get sucked into every negative news cycle. Of course, I feel bad for the citizens of Ukraine. What we’re seeing is terrible. But the news is manipulated to make you feel a certain way. While this is absolutely no endorsement of the actions of Putin, when has a situation ever been quite this black and white? We have the “perfect noble hero” and the “perfect evil villain.” Where’s the gray area in all this? Again, this is not to excuse the killing of civilians – but I’m positive a lot is being omitted from the story.
And not just this story – it’s every story. What about Hunter Biden’s laptop? If this was Trump’s son’s laptop, he’d be getting impeached (again), and we’d be reading every word on that laptop in breathless articles. The media has finally, after almost two years, admitted the laptop exists, it’s real, and it’s got some very sketchy stuff on it. If the truth had not been censored before the election, do you think the election might have gone the other way?
When you catch up on current events, you can be assured of one thing: you’re rarely, if ever, getting the full story. Your emotions are being manipulated, one way or the other. We’re being deliberately divided, and it’s happened many times in the past. If we’re fighting each other, we’re not paying attention to the things from which the government is trying to distract us.
This is a marathon, not a sprint.
I see people getting incredibly stressed every single day over some new offense, whether it occurred at home or abroad. You can’t keep up this level of stress for years. You’ll drop dead from a stress-related illness, you’ll be less effective because your brain is clouded by panic, and you’ll miss the little things that still make life worth living. You cannot keep up this pace of media-driven hysteria and stress.
Our current situation of economic decline is not one that will be resolved in weeks or even months. It will probably last for years. But you can survive it. You can start taking things in stride. You can act instead of react.
The situation began way above our paygrade, and it will remain that way. You’ve got to focus on the smaller circle of your immediate family and community.
Here are a few tips that may help you manage your stress.
If you’re feeling swept up in the nonstop stress of life today, here are a few things that may help.
Limit your access to the news. This is the most important thing you can do. First, we’re never getting the full story on the news. There are so many articles about Ukraine and the financial collapse that you could literally read every waking moment and not get through all of them. You don’t need to be that hyper-focused. If you find yourself constantly refreshing your favorite news site, do yourself a favor and limit yourself to once or twice per day. Even being in the news business, I find that I have to take a step back when dealing with long-lasting, horrifying stories like the ones we’re seeing right now.
Focus on your specific needs. How is the entire situation affecting you personally? What part is the most difficult for you? Is it the supply chain shortages? The high gas prices? Something else? Make a plan to tackle that issue. For supply chain issues, begin planning your garden. Consider whether livestock like chickens are an option for you. What can you stock up on right now before it’s too late? Can you do some bulk purchasing? If the price of gas has you stressed, figure out if there’s another place in your budget you can cut back and reallocate those funds. Group your errands, carpool, take public transit, walk when you can. Find ways to get around this. The point here is problem-solving, not problem-marinating.
Recognize what’s within your control and what’s not. There are a lot of things going on in the world that are outside your control. There’s really little point in giving this more mental energy than it deserves when you can’t do anything about it. Instead, focus on determining that which you can control. (Here’s an article on this topic.) Put your energy there.
Find some ways to be peaceful. There are so many ways people find inner peace. For you, it might be your faith, meditation, walking in the woods, or spending time with loved ones. Many people love to garden or sew or build. Don’t forego creative pursuits that clear your mind in order to focus on the chaos unfolding around us.
This is just the beginning.
This is not a situation that is going to be resolved quickly. There are too many moving parts, too many insidious goals, and too many people in power that are not looking out for our best interests. We need to face the fact that this is our reality for now and make the best of it.
More things will happen to take over the news cycle, things the media will pounce upon to out-horrify us beyond the last thing by which we were horrified. You don’t have to take part in their game. You don’t have to indulge in all the conspiracies (whether fact or theory) if doing so is of no help to you.
Buckle up, for this is a long and bumpy ride we’re facing. You simply cannot get worked up by each little thing, especially things that don’t directly affect you. If you focus on your own well-being and that of your family, you’ll be much better prepared to withstand the long haul with peace and resolve.
How do you manage your stress?
If it feels like the whole world is crumbling around you, what are you doing to manage your stress? How are you handling the constant barrage of terrible news? What advice do you have for those who are becoming paralyzed by stress? Let’s talk about it in the comments.
About Daisy
Daisy Luther is a coffee-swigging, adventure-seeking, globe-trotting blogger. She is the founder and publisher of three websites. 1) The Organic Prepper, which is about current events, preparedness, self-reliance, and the pursuit of liberty; 2) The Frugalite, a website with thrifty tips and solutions to help people get a handle on their personal finances without feeling deprived; and 3) PreppersDailyNews.com, an aggregate site where you can find links to all the most important news for those who wish to be prepared. Her work is widely republished across alternative media and she has appeared in many interviews.
Daisy is the best-selling author of 5 traditionally published books, 12 self-published books, and runs a small digital publishing company with PDF guides, printables, and courses at SelfRelianceand Survival.com You can find her on Facebook, Pinterest, Gab, MeWe, Parler, Instagram, and Twitter.
Breathe. Take a walk in the park, weather permitting, or yoga stretches at home. Garden: soil contains antidepressant microbes. Get off of (anti-) social media and reconnect F2F. Definitely limit the news intake and be very careful of your sources, since there’s plenty of disinformation out there, including sites run by foreign agents. Enhance my self reliance skills since the system isn’t going to save me, not Trump, not Biden, none of them. Breathe!
I read the Bible everyday and have faith that this is all part of God’s plan. I know I will be saved when Jesus returns. In the interim I work on my garden and storing as much food and water as possible.
DANNI, good for you…With NO faith, how do they survive? I was going thru a divorce in 2001. My now “ex” was not home, and my mom was there with me. It was early evening and I started feeling the stress overload of what was going on in my life after 2 children and a 33-year marriage. He was going thru that male mid-life crisis and his world and “mind” were just falling apart. Long story short…My blood pressure was rising, and I was feeling very lightheaded. Mom called 911 and they came to get me, could not get a pulse/blood pressure reading so off we go to the ER. Admitted around 2 a.m. and the next morning the cardio Dr. told me that b/c of the high blood pressure reading that was finally obtained he needed to do a Tilt Table test. They did it later that afternoon. I was told by the technician that I might pass out when this table I was laying on was suddenly raised up…Instead of passing out I died. My blood pressure reading prior to that had been 220/110 (totally STRESS related). So, with no pulse/no blood pressure on the tilt table the technician pressed her emergency bell and in came the rest of the crew. The table was lowered back down and in about 2.5 minutes I was alive again. They had NO idea why. The man was on his way into the room with the pressure machine (can’t remember the name of it) but at any rate he had NOT put it onto my chest yet and I came back. So, all in all about 2.5 mins. It does not sound like a long time, but it is if you watch the second hand going round slowly.
I had to get a pacemaker. that was in 2001. The second pacemaker was put in back in April of 2011 and this is 2022. So, it’s nearing time for the 3rd one. NEVER GIVE UP! Never let go of your faith. Hang on. JESUS told us the ones who make it to the end will be saved. The souls (people) that persevere will be the ones that make it…So, Keep the FAITH!!! Anthony Fauci does NOT run our lives. He is “not” GOD. He may think he is, but he is mistaken. I live my life; thousands live their lives and are doing okay. Relax, take a deep breath, destress, and continue as best you can…GOD is still in control, just like He was the day I died!!! Be blessed…
A P.S. Comment …I am now NOT stressed at all. That experience taught me to NOT sweat the small stuff and to NOT worry about things that I personally have ZERO control over. Life is short. And there is only one GOD…man might think he’s a GOD but he is fooling himself. What is going on has NOT and is NOT affecting me. Some inconveniences yes, but I learned to “deal with it”…Those who are able to adapt are the ones that are truly blessed! As they say CHILL OUT, COOL IT, BREATHE!!! Get what you need while you still can and be as prepared as possible. It’s pretty much all you can do…
Great comment! And I’m glad you survived! When I was young, I stressed about everything. I couldn’t stand it when something went wrong. And pretty much everything goes wrong to some extent. After years of income insecurity (my husband worked in technology and was laid off 6 times) and raising 2 boys to adulthood, and now 2 grandsons, I’ve learned to not hold on to trouble. Or at least, I’m a lot better at letting go than I used to be. I try to trust the Lord, be courageous and try to figure out what I can do to improve the situation. Maybe I can’t do anything, but something else I’ve learned is, that maybe I can’t fix a situation, but it can almost always be made better or worse. So I do what I can and let go of what I can’t change.
Yes! I think stress comes from feeling like you can’t fix it. It’s the same for depression: helpless and demoralized. The two conditions are related. Faith leads us to grace and a firm understanding of foundational truth. Loving truth is stabilizing for mental health. We don’t give way in our stand where we find hope and comfort. The temptations are strong to get sucked into the insanity. That’s the stressor because what is happening now is absolutely absurd and against reason. The MSM keeps it spinning. It’s common sense to keep ourselves safe from spinning parts. Spiritual truth provides stability and gives meaning to the solace of nature and the work of our hands. It’s the grace that allows us to rise above it all and gain perspective while our feet are still on the ground.
Grace can get us through anything. In the end, we may all be bald and toothless. But a smile would be just as beautiful without teeth and eyes just as sweet without hair. Grace is for all who seek it. I’ve experienced a lot of grace in my life. But not like I have since cancer turned my world upside-down. I can live without a lot of things. But I need truth.
What you apparently do not understand is that Danni won’t survive in the way you think. He/She (Can’t tell from the name) will die just like you, unless, of course, Jesus comes. In that instance, according to Christian faith, not to be confused with religion, Danni will be caught up and transformed into perfect bodies and go to Heaven with Jesus. Those who had “died in Christ” also are resurrected from mortal death, transformed into perfect bodies and go to Heaven with Christ. The remaining living then die and those who were not resurrected remain dead on Earth. 1,000 years later New Jerusalem decends from Heaven to earth and it’s populated by those who were transformed at the ressurection. The rest of the dead are then resurrected and make war against New Jerusalam and the firy finger of god permanently destroys them. there is no more death or hardship and sin along with death is no more. Danni and the rest of the “Saved” then live with God/Christ for ever and ever. Sin and Satan, along with all who did not have their faith in and on Jesus are no more and have died what is known as “The second Death.” It’s all covered in the Word of God but it’s up to you and you alone on what you place your faith in. In God and Christ is good. Anything else, people, yourself or any other thing is not the faith that will save you. Hopefully you understand this but please don’t take my word for it. You have to learn it on your own with the help of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. If you don’t have a Bible and can’t afford one most churches will have one to give you. Hope this helps you understand Danni’s comment better.
What you apparently don’t understand is that your comment is unnecessary embellishment on Danni’s simple comment about faith.
What you apparently don’t understand is that someone who has suffered is making a comment about how faith has helped them get through suffering. We are all looking at potentially a huge amount of suffering for a large portion of the population. Details of a future truth are not that well understood. So, let’s deal in practical faith issues when discussing The Faith. Sadly, suffering is the only way some peeps will wake up. Having compassion and grace will keep our love warm.
It is abhorrent that anyone believes that their physical body gets transformed in the spiritual realm. Not so. Who you are on earth is not your spirit. When you die your physical body and that includes your brain dies. This means the person you are no longer exists when you die. Why would you want to keep your physical body with all it’s defects and flaws. You brain with all it’s biases and personality disorders and defects? When you die you are free from all that because your spirit trapped inside your physical body is freed. Why these supposed men who got inspiration from god himself did not understand that means that perhaps they made up what they believed the afterlife would be and that what is written is not by god but by men inspired by their own thoughts.
Cut the cord! Really, there is nothing on cable worth watching, especially MSM (all of it).
Have a routine. People seem to do better when there is a set schedule, not randomness. Even if it is something as simple as wake up, get dressed, let dogs out, start coffee, make headcall, brush teeth etc.
Exercise. Studies show people who work out regularly tend to have a better out look. Walking is very good.
Eat better. Try to avoid ultra-processed food stuff.
Socialize. There have been studies during the lockdowns isolation has made people more depressed, having anxiety, and some requiring professional help, and medication.
Just read about a survey that has been conducted since 1972, asking people, “Taken all together, how would you say things are these days—would you say that you are very happy, pretty happy, or not too happy?”
Those responding “not too happy,” has been below the 20% line since the survey started.
But in 2021, it was at 22%.
Lockdowns, mask mandates, no jab no job, distance learning stress be a factor?
Once in awhile (that way it stays special), spoil yourself. We recently went out to dinner with a friend. It was so nice to be in a restaurant, no masks, no social distancing, talking and interacting with the wait staff, and had a great meal. The vibe of people around us, all enjoying themselves was inspiring.
Great article, Daisy. Reading Psalms aloud is a real stress reliever. Also just scan news sites, read the headlines and limit the stories that I open.
The same with me. Psalms is wonderfully comforting. The only news shows I watch are clips from Tucker Carlson, and now I’m down to pretty much just the Gateway Pundit and Liberty Daily. Like you, I scan the headlines and just read what I want. So much better than watching the news.
Great article with practical solutions. Thank you Daisy. So glad you didn’t add counseling. I worked at a ‘nut house’ for a while (as we refer to it). Most are there for the support system, not to help others. I was experiencing there what the world switched to and watched it roll out. Just incredible. Faith and my relationship with my beloved husband keep me going. We stopped watching tv 20 years ago. May God our Father bless and protect you during these times.
Strangely enough, I’m not stressed at all. In part that’s because I’m well prepared and have been for years. In part it’s because I never, ever, listen to any mainstream news and haven’t for years, either. But I do get a lot of information from what I consider trustworthy, alternative news sources and it’s clear that we’re truly hurtling towards the end of …. what? The dollar? Definitely. The end of America as we know it? Well, it hasn’t been the America as we know it for quite some time now, so that doesn’t come as any surprise. Freedom? We haven’t had that for a long time either and I’m feeling some hope when I look at the people around me banding together and doing their own thing outside the corrupt system. Direct care doctors who are not beholden to government money. Farmers butchering on their own farm and avoiding the deplorable USDA facilities. People trading and bartering outside the fiat currency system. Now that we’re facing the inevitable, absolute failure of EVERYTHING I have a sense of ‘Okay, this has been hanging over our heads for years, let’s just get it over with’. And it actually gives me hope that we CAN do things differently if enough people are determined to do so.
Thank you I think we all need this ????????
I try to get outside as much as possible. Earthing is extremely important! I go outside barefoot and just sit in the grass for 20-30 min any time I have a chance. I exercise and eat healthy. I take a hot bath or sit in the sauna daily. I’ve also learned to let go of negativity, including people. I had some toxic people in my life I had to completely cut off.
Yes to everything above – – eat well, exercise, grow a garden, practice prayer and your faith!
In addition, I’ve been reaching out to others as much as I can. Teaching beginners gardening at the library, helping quite a few people make garden plans for their special situations. I’m developing a homestead class for our school coop too. If my neighbors can care for themselves, I’ll be more secure too. 🙂
You’re awesome Iowa Mom.
Although these ways to handle stress are the normal civilized responses in how to ‘manage it. I think as Preppers we need to look at it differently.
Stress will be a major part of SHTF. So during SHTF you can not just ignore the “news” or avoid depressing things. it will be everywhere , all around you. Fear is the basis of stress. Fear of the unknown and how it will affect you. The opposite of Fear is Confidence.
You need to learn to use stress as a means of motivation and as a confidence builder. If you are feeling stressed; then you are not confident in your skill, abilities or preps or of those things, in those close to you.
So you need to focus on those things and build your confidence.
Confidence in your abilities to adapt and overcome whatever is thrown at you, is what helps you overcome stress. In the Military they do this by training and
then training some more. Boot Camp is all about building confidence.
Nothing is more stress full than people trying to kill you.
Short of a nuclear war, nothing happening in the world today is a life or death scenario. Since a Nuclear war is highly unlikely( regardless of the doom peddlers in the news and on the web) and if it does happen, you might be dead before you know it even started. So there is not that much to worry about.
Most people live within a relatively short distance of a nuclear power plant which is a greater risk to your life and health, than a nuclear war is.
“Most people live within a relatively short distance of a nuclear power plant which is a greater risk to your life and health, than a nuclear war is.”
You might want to reference this map, from the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, updated as of 17JUL2020: https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/map-power-reactors.html
As you can see, there are more than a few states that do not have a nuclear power plant within a relatively short distance of them.
Thanks for the map! Unfortunately nuke plants are being built in Green River, Utah and Idaho Falls, Idaho. Plus proposals are being made for others elsewhere.
Prayer, the Bible and chocolate!
Good article. Solid advice on the stress management techniques. I know I do them all the time. They work, and they’re necessary. And after reading some posted comments below, I can’t agree strongly enough that Faith and God are also critical elements for sane, peaceful living. Our collective national move away from Faith and God is having tangible negative effects on our nation. But that’s a thesis for another post.
However, as a news-junkie myself, I would also humbly suggest that people continue to stay informed, consuming your news in tolerable doses. If we are to save this country, and ourselves, we must stay connected. We must keep abreast of events, because they do affects us. Survivors know not only how to de-toxify the brutality of real life, but also how to use real-time events to his/her advantage. You have to discern when to stay put, and when to move. And that requires information from reconnaissance.
Remember, the wonderful suggestions from Ms. Luther are stress management techniques, not hide-from-reality-and-pretend-it-doesn’t-exist mechanisms.
If we wish to take our country, and our lives back, then patriots must be informed and aware…in addition to being healthy and sane. Each of us must become masters of both. Our future depends on it.
God bless, patriots!
I’d say – get off social media, it sucks, it’s negative, it’s a drain, it’s a massive waste of time.
And go out in nature. Go places where there are no politicians.
Great article!
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God£ above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Matthew 6:25-34 (NLT)
Paul, thank-you for this. I appreciate the reminder that God is in control.
You’re welcome!
Thank you Paul for the reminder, such simple words and all so true.
You’re welcome!
I’ve been preparing the best I can for a long time. I’ve concentrated on skills and some bare necessities first, adding to those as money allowed. I’ve had life altering changes in the past and things always work out so I keep that in mind.
When covid hit I kicked some preps into high gear figuring that the lockdowns would come and the economy would end up tanking. Plus it was time for the Fourth Turning so I was mentally prepared whether you consider it a real thing or not. I have a food support group of friends and family and know that whatever happens we will make it through.
I was job hunting when covid hit, I accepted a job for less money with about as good job security as I could want. Knowing that my job is as secure as it can be means a lot less stress.
I haven’t changed my routine much so my day to day isn’t affected.
I visit a few information sites to see what is happening and see if my predictions are on track. I expect it to get bad but I’m not worried because I’ve done everything I can, and I keep adding to my preps.
Even though I have very pessimistic expectations for the short and medium term I happen to be optimistic overall. The good can’t exist without the bad and we’ll have to get through the bad to get to the good.
Reading here from others that are doing what they can to prepare is a positive .
Qigong & Yoga…Learn to actually process negative emotions so that you bring your entire body into homeostasis through mindfulness practices.
I liked this article Daisy. When I think about how much God really loves me and I pray, read the Bible and sing praises and songs that make me happy, I feel at peace. Also gardening brings me joy as well as spending time with family. It is easy to worry. But worry is not productive. My dad always told me to only worry about today. In fact he told me that worry doesn’t help anything. Just do what you can do. I might add: We only have control over ourselves and what we do, the rest we must leave in God’s hands. I believe in the power of prayer. There are so many times in my life that God has shown me that prayer works. I believe that God has a plan for us. I feel at peace writing this. Thank-you for this article Daisy. It is the reminder that I needed today. When I rely only on myself or other humans, I am disappointed. But when I put my trust in God, amazing things happen.
For those open to it, Flower essence remedies are a major help in managing our emotional stress. Either with Rescue Remedy a standard combination or getting a personalized remedy from a practitioner.
The single best advice I ever got about managing stress was not about managing stress.
It was about understanding that the Lord places you in a time and place to be effective THERE. And THEN. So love your neighbor. Be effective in your actual daily life in your actual daily environment. Don’t sweat the global stuff.
Or as it was told to me………”Bloom where you’re planted”
Psalm 131 – “I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.”
So many good ideas here. Even if a person isn’t “religious” a lot of the psalms and quotes from the Bible are common sense, true and uber comforting. Thank you Daisy for this posting, I think it’s really important, whole world seems essentially fucked but still a LOT of good people around standing firm, holding the line of humanity in every way like the people on this site. So good
I’ll show them …. I won’t allow them to get in my head and cause me grief and stress. I won’t allow them to take my stuff when things get bad. I’ll shoot myself first !! That will make them mad because I will cheat the hangman out of his fee.
regarding an overarching plan by a deity:
Not a Chance, fully biblically valid…..
at https://doc124gig.blogspot.com/2014/01/9-not-chance.html
Crafts are a great way to relieve stress. You feel in control when you create something. Knitting, sewing, woodworking, painting, drawing, and crocheting are all great hobbies. Getting out in nature is another good stress reliever. Maybe you go outside to hike or get out on the lake. You can never go wrong with exercise; that always helps. Prayer and reading the Bible are also essential during this time. Remember that we are not in this alone. As it is written, God works all things out for the good for those who love Him. And He is with us always.