Managing Current Events Anxiety in a Digital Age

Authored by Bansi B.

Member, Digital Wellness Lab 2023-24 Student Advisory Council

One of the most incredible discoveries I have made throughout my years of community organizing, getting to know my peer network, and even just chatting with friends is that young people care. Each of us cares so deeply and intrinsically about the people around us and the world that we are shaping for them. It seems that nearly every fellow Gen-Z that I meet has a crisp, clear, and beautiful vision for what they want the world to look like, and I truly believe this is our greatest collective strength.

It can then, however, be devastating when the world in reality seems to move farther and farther from that goal. This devastation, coupled with anxiety for the future and a feeling of hopelessness about how to fix it, can lead to real mental health problems. So, hopefully, this article can serve as a guide from a fellow terrified teen on how to keep your head on straight when it feels like the world is falling apart.

Social Strategies

One of the greatest resources that humanity has at its disposal is community. In times when you cannot understand what to do or how to move forward, lean into your family and friends. Spend as much time as possible with the people you love, checking in on and uplifting each other. Sometimes, you need to take a moment to mourn the beautiful world you envisioned. But, the thing about mourning periods is that they do not last forever. At some point, we have to dry our tears, sheath our anxieties, and find ways to discover light, love, and laughter in the world within which we exist.

On a personal level, I have always found one of the most difficult aspects of anxiety surrounding current events is a feeling of helplessness. It feels as if we just have to sit at our windows, watching everything shift and change, without the power to affect anything. One of the best ways to start feeling less hopeless is by discovering what your contribution can be and remembering that all of it, no matter how small, is important. Do some research into local social advocacy groups or political chapters. This can even be as simple as looking into and getting involved with clubs at your school. Do not let your fear and anxiety dull into apathy. Let them instead bloom into fruitful action. And never forget that in times of crisis, hope and optimism are revolutionary.

Mental Health Strategies

A lot of mental health strategies are most useful when they can be seamlessly incorporated into your life. For example, many of us have likely heard of the benefits of meditation in times of stress and anxiety. However, meditating inconsistently now and then is not the most effective. Instead, try finding a time in your day to set aside, like during a morning routine or in the half hour before bed to employ a wellness plan consistently. Writing, drawing, and other creative outlets that can allow you to express and relieve frustration are also incredible tools. Along these lines, journaling can be an effective method to not only express emotion, but also to remind yourself of the positive things in your life that bring you joy and that you are grateful for. In the stress of work, school, and other responsibilities, it is so vital to take time away to take care of yourself and your brain by doing whichever self-care methods help you feel relaxed.

Doing so will help you rest your brain and avoid potential burnout. At the end of the day, you and your health have to be your first priority. It is only when you are taken care of that you can contribute to anything or anyone else.

Mental health is always wholly connected to physical health, so a lot of things that make your body feel healthier will do the same for your brain. Therefore, things like deep breathing and exercising that help your physical health will, in turn, help with your mental well-being. And, in those times when it feels like the state of your mental health is too complex to even know where to start, go back to the basics.

Focus on accomplishing the following three things: eating 3 healthy meals a day, sleeping at least 8 hours a night, and getting out of bed. There will be times when grace and patience are the best gifts you can give yourself, allowing yourself to take things one little step at a time.

Social Media Strategies:

As if navigating a global pandemic, climate effects, and a tense socio-political climate were not enough, this generation has also had to grapple with figuring out how to navigate all of these, and so much more, within an ever-changing digital landscape. Having said this, when used in the right way, social media can be an immensely helpful tool for managing current events anxiety. As mentioned earlier, community is a necessary resource. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to a genuine community around them, and in times like these, social media can be a means of finding online support systems. For example, LGBT kids growing up in certain areas lack access to queer networks. Yet, there are plenty of online third spaces that, when used with digital privacy and safety in mind, can help young people feel the inclusion and kinship they do not have access to in person.

Another positive aspect of being online is the ability to share your voice. Social media gives young people a platform with which they can reach people to communicate their ideas, express their opinions, and share information and resources. They can also learn from other creators who are making informative content on various socio-political issues and how to get involved. In doing so, it is paramount to remember that “doom-scrolling” and staying informed are not the same. You can avoid just doom-scrolling by trying to find reliable sources, remembering that even your favorite creators may be inadvertently fear-mongering or spreading inaccurate information.

When I asked some of my friends about their strategies for navigating how to stay informed in a digital age, a major theme that emerged was an incredibly intentional consumption of media. An overconsumption of social media posts about socio-political issues can lead to more stress and even compassion fatigue.

• “I try not to just scroll on social media during my break times. Do it intentionally rather than just reaching for it.” – Ali K, age 20
• “Don’t feel like a horrible person for skipping past things that make you distressed. Consuming media that brings you debilitating stress and staying informed are not the same.” – Sidrah R, age 18

Lastly, try to find some good news as well. There are remarkable people and organizations constantly working to improve the world, but these don’t get reported on nearly as often. In staying informed, try to find space to seek out positive, uplifting news as well.

The times we are living in can feel unprecedented and fast-moving. But, at the end of the day, we each have the necessary components to survive trying times—our communities, our voices, and our hope.

With each of these, we hold power and purpose, able to stay informed and take action while keeping ourselves and our communities intact. My last and most critical piece of advice is to hold on as tightly as possible to these, and we will not just survive but find a way to thrive.

Bansi was a member of the Digital Wellness Lab’s 2023-2024 Student Advisory Council, and is currently a college sophomore in Boulder, Colorado.

The author of this article is a young person who has been engaging with the Digital Wellness Lab about topics of young people’s safety and wellbeing within digital environments. Here at the Lab, we welcome different viewpoints and perspectives. However, the opinions and ideas expressed here do not necessarily represent the views, research, or recommendations of the Digital Wellness Lab, Boston Children’s Hospital, or affiliates.