How do we find ease during a global crisis?

For the past few weeks, we’ve seen headline after headline and opinion and after opinion detailing the ongoing horror in Israel and Gaza. People on my social media feed have taken all different sides on what is happening, what should happen, and how we should be reacting.

I’ve been personally struggling with finding the right balancing of staying informed, but not to the point where I become numb or overwhelmed.

I realize that for those of us who might not be directly affected, it can feel safer and easier to simply disengage. In fact, I have noticed that yoga practitioners or spiritual seekers (myself included) sometimes have a tendency to escape into their own bubble, where everything is “love and light” and “good vibes only.” We should absolutely use our tools to help support us and, at the same time, it’s important to pay attention to what is happening.

A recent post by Dr. Samantha Boardman, “Here’s What You Can Do When the World Feels Upside Down,” was helpful for me. Some of her tips include:

• Focus on what you can control, like connecting with friends and family, doing activities that bring you joy, and going to bed at a reasonable time.

• Be selective about when you consume news during your day and seek out credible sources. I would also add it is helpful to get your news from a few reputable sources, including a source from outside of your country or region, which can offer a different perspective.

• Follow the facts by skipping articles that mainly consist of opinions that attempt to predict what might happen.

Dr. Boardman also offers some useful info on how to talk to kids about what’s going on.

A couple other things that I have been doing include:

• Practicing gratitude. Before I bed, I think of all the things I am grateful - sunshine, my kitties, my family, a delicious meal, etc.

• Donating funds to organizations supporting those affected by the violence. One of my favorites is World Central Kitchen.

If you want to share what you’re doing to find ease during these challenging times, please do.