Written collaboratively by the Flourish Center Team in Portland, Oregon.

 

At a recent team meeting here at The Flourish Center, we spent some time talking about what we’ve been noticing lately in our patients and clients. Because we each work with people in different ways, these conversations are incredibly valuable. They help us step back and look at the bigger picture of what people are experiencing right now. 

One theme became very clear: many people are feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world. 

Across our sessions and visits, we’re hearing similar feelings expressed again and again—stress, heaviness, sadness, and a sense that there is simply too much coming at us. People describe feeling bombarded with difficult news and information throughout the day. And the truth is, humans were never designed to absorb a constant stream of global events, crises, and commentary every hour of the day. 

For many people, this constant exposure is leading to feelings of overwhelm, tearfulness, hopelessness, and even a sense of powerlessness or lack of control. 

We’re also noticing something else: many people are holding these feelings inside. They worry about bringing others down or “polluting the space” with negative energy, so they carry a lot of emotional weight quietly and privately. 

If any of this resonates with you, please know that you’re not alone. What you’re feeling is a very human response to a very intense information environment. 

During our discussion, our team also shared some simple strategies we’ve been recommending to patients and clients who are struggling with these feelings. 

 

Create healthier boundaries with information 

One of the most helpful steps can be reducing the constant flow of news and social media. 

For some people, this means removing social media from their phone entirely. Others find it helpful to schedule a specific time of day to check the news rather than absorbing updates all day long. 

It can also be helpful to protect certain parts of your day from the news cycle—especially first thing in the morning, before bed, before important meetings, or before picking up your children. These moments are better spent grounding yourself rather than absorbing stressful information. 

 

Process what you’re feeling 

Current events can bring up a lot of personal emotions—fear, anger, sadness, grief, or confusion. Journaling can be a powerful way to explore what is coming up for you personally rather than letting those feelings stay bottled up. 

 

Focus on what is good and meaningful in your life 

When the world feels chaotic, it can help to telescope your view toward the parts of life that are steady and nourishing.

Notice where you feel fulfilled. Pay attention to the areas of your life where you feel healthy, supported, and connected. These are important anchors when the broader world feels uncertain. 

Sometimes joy may feel harder to access during stressful times. In those moments, look for small joys instead: a bite of delicious food, a beautiful song, the warmth of the sun, or a meaningful conversation with a friend. 

 

Take extra care of yourself 

Stressful times call for more—not less—self-care. 

This might look like prioritizing sleep, making sure you’re eating regular meals, moving your body, connecting with friends, or taking a break for a yoga class or a walk. 

Sometimes the healthiest thing you can do is simply put the phone down, take a deep breath, and give your nervous system a moment to reset. 

Listening to music instead of the news, watching a comedy, or sharing laughter with others can also be surprisingly powerful ways to shift your mental state. 

 

Find small ways to put positivity into the world 

One of the ideas shared during our discussion was the reminder that investing in your own healing may be one of the greatest contributions you can make to world peace. 

When we take care of ourselves, we show up with more presence, kindness, and compassion for others. 

Simple acts matter more than we often realize—smiling at a stranger, being patient with someone, volunteering in your community, or offering support to a friend. These small moments create ripples of goodness in the world. 

 

Most importantly: be gentle with yourself 

Above all else, this is a time to practice kindness toward yourself. 

Give yourself grace. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or emotional, it doesn’t mean something is wrong with you—it means you’re human. 

One of the things we’re most grateful for at The Flourish Center is the opportunity to work as a collaborative team. These conversations allow us to share what we’re seeing, support one another, and ultimately serve our community with greater awareness and care. 

If you’re navigating a heavy season, we hope these reflections offer a small reminder to pause, breathe, and take care of yourself. 

 

You’re not alone in this. 

 

If there’s anything we can do to support you, we’re always here.

Visit The Flourish Center Team Page here.