September 21, 2025
Mental Health
Every time we open our phones or turn on the news, it feels like another heartbreak, another crisis, another reason to feel powerless. The weight of the world around us, especially now, feels overwhelming. And while caring deeply is part of being human, we aren’t meant to carry everything on our shoulders.
We sat down with Amy Jackson, LCSW, a therapist here at The Happy Hour, to hear her perspective on how to make a difference without losing yourself in the process. If you’ve been feeling distressed, divided, or just plain worn out, here are a few ways to reclaim a sense of peace and personal power:
1. Limit your social media intake
We were not built to absorb the sadness and struggles of every corner of the globe, all at once. Take in the information you need, then step away. Give yourself permission to close the apps, put the phone down, and choose presence over doomscrolling.
2. Touch grass (literally)
Reconnect with the earth. Go for a walk. Step outside barefoot, notice the trees around you, feel the sun on your skin. Grounding in nature reminds us that life is bigger than the chaos of headlines and that peace is still possible in the small, simple moments.
3. Turn worry into action
If a policy, headline, or injustice leaves you discouraged, pair your concern with a tangible behavior. Help someone register to vote. Donate to a cause you believe in. Call your representatives. Even the smallest action is proof that you are participating in the world around you—and that matters.
4. Lean on your people
We aren’t meant to navigate hardship alone. Reach out to your friends, your family, your chosen community. Share how you’re feeling, ask for a hug, sit together over a meal. Connection creates resilience, and in dark times, togetherness is medicine.
The truth is: You cannot control everything that’s happening in the world. But you can control what you let in, how you ground yourself, and the way you connect with others. Small choices matter. They ripple outward. And sometimes, remembering that is the most powerful thing of all.
THE CONTENT OF THIS BLOG IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR A THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP.
Need help processing?
Our therapists are here to help you make sense of your feelings and create a game plan for how to support yourself when the world feels out of control.