Staying Sane in a Crazy World.

There's an old Chinese proverb that says, 'May you live in interesting times'. Any of you who've been around over the last ten years can certainly say that things have been interesting, if not utterly crazy and chaotic. Political issues, technological developments and societal changes have combined to create a sense of turmoil and disturbance. Staying sane in a chaotic world can feel like an ongoing challenge, but here are a few strategies that can help you maintain a sense of peace and stability:

1. Mindfulness and Meditation

Practice mindfulness to stay grounded in the present moment. Regular meditation can help reduce stress and increase emotional resilience, allowing you to navigate challenges with a clearer mind. Mindfulness and meditation are 'skills' that you need to develop. Don't be put off if you struggle when you first try these. Keep at it, and remember you are practising a new skill. Many people give up in frustration because they can't meditate like some yogi the first time they try it. Give it time, take it easy and keep trying.

2. Limit Information Overload

The constant stream of news and social media can be overwhelming. Set boundaries on how much you consume, and take digital detox breaks to clear your mind. Humans are societal creatures, but we are creatures of the village. As tempting as it may be, I don't believe that we are emotionally or psychologically equipped to be absorbing news (and let's face it, usually bad news and horror stories) from all over the world, twenty-four hours a day. Rolling, constant news from all over the world is a relatively recent development in human history (the last 30 years), and while it is now considered the norm, I have concerns about its impact. You need to protect your mental health and be careful what you allow in.

Social media presents another problem. Therapists use the term 'Compare and Despair. ' In other words, if you compare yourself to others, chances are you'll be miserable. This can be a bad enough problem for some people in the real world, but social media can mean 'Compare and despair' on steroids.

3. Focus on What You Can Control

A lot of stress comes from worrying about things we have no power over. Shift your attention to actions and choices that you can influence and let go of what you can't. Try to develop and practice a philosophy of Ácceptance". You can't control people, places or things. You have control only over what you think and how you react. Getting annoyed and frustrated because something is happening far away in the world you don't like is as futile as shaking your fist at the Irish sky when it starts raining.

4. Self-Care

Prioritise physical and mental health through exercise, healthy eating, sleep, and activities that bring joy. Self-care isn't selfish—it's essential for maintaining balance. Most would agree with this, but it always fascinates me how out of balance many people are when it comes to this. Sure, generally speaking, most people pay some attention to their physical health - eating well, getting quality sleep, getting exercise, etc. However, when it comes to mental health, I find that there is a lot less awareness and emphasis. Thinking about how we are thinking is not something we do a lot of. For example, examining our thinking style - Am I having some negative thoughts today? Am I catastrophising about a situation in my life? Am I being overly self-critical? All these practices contribute to low mood and are key drivers of things like anxiety and depression. Learning how to spot these unhelpful thinking styles and practising techniques to tackle them can be very useful in maintaining good mental health and well-being.

5. Connect with Loved Ones

Meaningful relationships help keep you anchored. Reach out to friends, family, or communities where you feel supported and understood. That is good advice; most would agree. However, sometimes reaching out to others can feel difficult and awkward, especially if we find it hard to ask for help or admit our vulnerability. Also, families are complicated things, and there's not always a guarantee that just because you share your DNA with some people, they will be able or willing to support and encourage you. Be careful about who you look to for emotional support. If you feel you do not have any such person in your life, speaking to a professional can help you manage and even help you to challenge some fears around asking for help and who and when to ask.

6. Accept Imperfection

Life is messy, and perfection is an unrealistic goal. Accepting imperfection in yourself and the world around you can relieve pressure and help you find peace amidst chaos. Again, we are talking about acceptance. Learn to accept the world and the people in it how they are rather than wanting them to be how you would like them to be. Nothing and nobody is perfect. We are all frail and broken and generally just trying to figure out our way as we go. Nobody has all the answers (despite what the latest podcast recommendations tell you), and if you run into someone who tells you they have it all figured out well, run a mile. If you are struggling with perfectionism, remember the words of St. Augustine of Hippo' Inter faeces et urinam nascimur'. That's Latin if you need to translate.

7. Perspective and Humor

A sense of humour can be a powerful coping tool. Laugh when you can and try to maintain a perspective that reminds you that all problems are temporary, as is life itself. In other words, don't take yourself too seriously. Ultimately, your life and all that you experience will mean nothing. Everything passes and fades away. No matter how much time you spend worrying about things, you are going to die, and those things that you spent your life worrying about will either have happened or they won't. Either way, it won't matter. You might think that this is a depressing perspective, but I think it can actually be freeing and empowering, and if you try to develop this attitude towards life, you just might feel less burdened and stressed by things.

Finally, remember that "Staying sane" doesn't always mean feeling happy or calm. It does mean learning to navigate the ups and downs of life with awareness and self-compassion, as well as having tools and techniques for dealing with the inevitable emotional roller-coaster of human existence.