It's Hard Right Now, But Maybe We Can Help Each Other?

Feeling the Weight of the World? You’re Not Alone.

It's… a lot, isn’t it? Lately, I’ve been hearing from so many people – friends, family, even the barista at my usual coffee shop – who just seem worn down. And honestly? I get it. I really do. It feels like every time you turn on the news, or even just scroll through your feed, there’s another crisis, another problem, another thing to worry about. It’s exhausting.

I’m Leo Parks, by the way. And if I’m being honest, I’m not exactly the strongest person. I tend to go along with things, try to keep the peace. So, I'm definitely not an expert on handling big emotions. But I’ve been doing a little thinking, and a little talking to people, about how to cope with all this anxiety, and I wanted to share what I’ve learned.

The first thing I’ve realized is, it’s okay to step away. Seriously. You don’t have to know everything that’s happening, all the time. It’s almost like…information overload. My friend Sarah suggested muting notifications from news apps, and just checking in once a day. That sounds…smart. Maybe I’ll try that. It’s easy to get sucked into endlessly scrolling, and before you know it, you’re feeling even worse.

But ignoring things completely doesn’t feel right either, does it? I’ve been trying to think about what I can do, instead of just feeling helpless. Volunteering seems like a good idea – helping others actually makes you feel a little better. And my sister mentioned joining a local group focused on environmental issues, which sounds good. It's a way to feel like you’re actually doing something, rather than just watching things happen.

Honestly, the biggest thing seems to be taking care of yourself. It sounds a bit cliché, but it’s true. I’ve been trying to get a bit more sleep (it’s a work in progress), and even just going for a short walk outside helps. My mom always says fresh air is the best medicine. She's usually right.

Talking to people is good too. Just…sharing how you feel. I mentioned to my coworker, Mark, that I was feeling stressed, and he said he was too! It was surprisingly comforting to know I wasn’t the only one. There are also online communities, I've heard, where you can connect with people who are feeling the same way.

And if things are really tough, it’s okay to ask for help. There are people who are trained to help with anxiety, and it’s not a sign of weakness to reach out to them. I saw a number for the Samaritans the other day – 116 123 in the UK – and there’s also a text line, Shout, at 85258. And Mind has a really good online community, Side by Side, at mind.org.uk.

Look, I'm still figuring things out, just like everyone else. But I think the key is to remember you're not alone in feeling overwhelmed, and there are things you can do to protect your mental health. Be kind to yourself, and maybe…just maybe…we can all get through this together.