Mid-month Blog Special

Navigating Anxiety in a Geopolitical Crisis

After taking a period of time out for travel and returning to an alarming shift in world events, I, like many of us, am noticing that the ongoing geopolitical crisis can evoke anxiety and uncertainty. As chaos unfolds on the global stage, many may find themselves grappling with feelings of helplessness and fear about the future. This heightened state of anxiety can affect mental well-being, leading to stress and a sense of being overwhelmed. However, within this turmoil lies an opportunity to cultivate resilience and strengthen our ability to focus on what we can change while accepting what we cannot.

Embracing Change and Acceptance

The principles of solution-focused hypnotherapy encourage us to hone our skills in managing anxiety by, amongst other things, emphasizing personal agency and choosing to direct our energy towards actions within our control. For some, in times of crisis in the wider world, that might mean engaging in community support, donating or raising money for those directly affected by conflict. For others it is simply practicing good mental health through self-care, meta-cognition (the art of observing our own thoughts, noticing those which are unhelpful and deliberately steering away from these and toward more constructive, productive patterns of thinking).

By acknowledging the aspects of our lives that we can influence, however small, we empower ourselves to take meaningful steps forward. At the same time, embracing acceptance of the uncontrollable can foster a sense of peace amidst chaos, allowing us to navigate our emotions more effectively and maintain mental clarity in uncertain times.

The Stoics believed that nearly all human suffering comes from trying to control 'externals'. If you can't control it, it's technically 'indifferent" - simply not worth the cost of your peace of mind.