We are living through a time of huge transition, and there isn’t a clear picture of our destination. Scrolling through the news, we see the horrors and devastation of war, political unrest, and the creaking of institutions for justice and fairness that once kept our world order in check. On top of this, we are told climate change is on a knife-edge, and AI will change how we work and lead to job losses. It’s no wonder that we feel untethered as we try to figure out what kind of a world we’re sailing into.

Fear and worry, even in the background of our lives, trigger our survival instincts, making us contract and resistant to big changes. It may feel prudent to wait for calmer seas, yet this time may be a long way off. I feel this undercurrent too, yet I strive to stay grounded—not just for me, but for my family, my friends and my clients. To navigate this time, we need more openness, kindness, compassion, and level heads. 

You have what it takes to deal with this

Deep inside, you have these innate qualities and the ability to discern the truth about what is really going on. We may not stand on the world stage, but we still influence those around us. You, I, and everyone can tap into what we instinctively know is the right thing to do.

Beyond the scary headlines, often sidelined but there nonetheless, are stories of wonderful innovations, acts of courage, breakthroughs in science and a growing community of people that show us how we can make the world better for everyone. Life is precious, and it should be lived well—even with the uncertainty of this time. 

The question isn’t whether the world will steady itself—rather, it’s whether we can stay grounded, strong and positive. Not despite the uncertainty, but because of it.

Seven ways to stay grounded

Stop chasing the News:

There is a balance between staying informed and getting drawn into the drama of the worst of everything. Unless your job depends on it, briefly check in once or twice a day, then stay away from the news to give you a break from the alarm signals of danger.

Spend time in nature:

Daily, if you can, sit, stand, walk, jog or cycle somewhere where nature abounds. If you live in a town or city, visit a park or gardens, walk by a river, admire clumps of trees or even the beauty of flowering weeds in overgrown waste land. In these places, your subconscious notices the irregularities in nature’s shapes, colours, movement, and sounds, which calm the mind and restore your inner peace.

Prioritise sleep:

Sleep is vital for your health and well-being. Your body loves routine, and going to bed and getting up at the same time helps you to sleep more deeply. Waking up refreshed helps you to stay calm, no matter what arises in your day.

Recognise your tribe:

In small villages and towns, people more naturally say ‘hello/good morning’ in shops, on the buses or when passing one another in the street. They do so because faces are familiar. By contrast, in cities, people avoid doing this because there are too many people to know who they might be. Yet everyone belongs to some form of group—at work, at social or sports clubs, or in faith groups. Choose to smile and say hello more often. Nearly always, the recipient will smile back, giving you both a stronger sense of belonging.

Eat well:

Make a few changes to what you eat. Choose one day or several days a week to buy, prepare, and cook fresh food. Honour the time it takes to make nourishing meals—and in reality, it’s never as long as you think it will be. Real food calms the body’s nervous system. In contrast, processed foods and drinks with added sugar, caffeine, artificial colours, flavourings and preservatives jangle your nerves and play havoc with your digestive system.

Stretch:

Fear and worry make your body and mind contract. Muscles held taut for hours on end lead to stiffness and eventually pain. When you get out of bed, spend five minutes gently stretching your arms, legs and body to shake off the stiffness of sleep. Do you, like me, sit all day at work? Set an hourly reminder to get up from your desk and walk around.  

Choose:

The power of choosing to be strong should never be underestimated. So, every morning, when eyes are still bleary, and you debate whether you can hit the snooze button one more time, actively choose to make this day better than yesterday. Choose to make time for and do one small thing that will restore your inner peace, keep you grounded and strong. You can do this 😊.