Feeling a bit overwhelmed right now? We are all feeling it lately, personally and collectively as a society. You may be absorbing not only your own stress, but stress from those around you, as well as national stress. The world – and maybe your life – feels like it’s turned upside down and may not seem like it makes sense anymore.

The stress of current events may be rearing its head in all of us lately. Maybe it’s affecting your relationships with your loved ones and even your mental health. Perhaps you’re vacillating between feelings of anger and helplessness. Or maybe you’re feeling frazzled and crying easily lately. Still others may be experiencing depression, anxiety, or both.

So, how do we find a sense of normalcy when the earth is shaking beneath our feet? How do we cope? Getting a handle on our emotional response to current events may sound easy, but in reality, it can be an ongoing process of finding – and adjusting – our coping methods.

While challenges and adversity may help us grow as individuals, at times the challenges may feel a bit overwhelming. When this happens, it’s vital that we concentrate on taking care of ourselves.

Firstly, make sure you are taking care of yourself. If you are emotionally crashing, you are not helping yourself, your loved ones, or society. In fact, I recall a fellow therapist providing the following analogy: If you are on a plane that seems like it’s crashing, put the oxygen mask on yourself first, then on those around you. You cannot help others without your own oxygen.

So, consider what you need to provide yourself with your own oxygen mask right now. For instance, take care of your physical and basic needs such as sleep. We can’t function without a good night’s sleep. Sleep is an important part of self-care.

Another basic aspect of self-care is being........

© Psychology Today