Maybe this topic is quite a simple one and sort of a lost cause, but it felt like something I needed to speak on.

I know for me, stabilizing my mood has been a challenge in the past. It’s so easy to get caught up in the tides of emotion. One minute, you’re watching heartwarming videos and then hearing about a horrific event. One second, you’re calm and collected trying to prepare for your day, the next you’re set off by the hurry to get out the door with so much still left to do. Whether it’s self-inflicted stress or overwhelm from world news, there’s plenty to be thrown our way and disrupt our peace of mind.

Is this your frustration? Do you ever feel frozen from the weight of the world? Like you can never do enough to catch up and manage the chaos?

Stability doesn’t come from being enlightened by all of the updates from each News outlet. It is important to be informed but not consumed. I heard this recently from Ian Simkins on Instagram, and I certainly have to agree.

With social media as a constant companion, we feel the need to be informed and up to date on what each person has to say. We want to know their take on a current event or crave to be informed on all the details of a situation.

But let me ask you, when was the last time that information helped you? How did it aid you in your every day life?

It’s necessary to be informed so you understand what is happening in our world, but your sanity is more valuable than your knowledge of every detail.

Please understand: your sanity is more important than your knowledge. And if you’ve been keeping up with the world at all, I hope you agree. We need sound minds before education.

Education isn’t negated for this reason because this is your tool, but our foundation must be set first.

I don’t have much space to speak on this as I’m not a mother myself but parents, this starts at home. The way you care for your children will shape and mold them. It starts in the home.

We must protect our own minds to help shape and protect the next generation.

Tune Out

Tune out the noise. In a previous post, I talked about the amount of noise that we take in.

We’ve become so accustomed to simply absorbing all of the information that we’re told. We don’t question its legitimacy, we don’t wonder its influence. We just accept these ideas. Our critical thinking is put to the test.

But we must guard ourselves and utilize our critical thinking.

Frankly, the goal of businesses is to make more money. People can have good intentions, but businesses merely strive for money. A way that they do this is by catching your attention to read an article. If there’s no thrilling news, what would new outlets do? The facts might deem true but journalists write in a way to get a reaction out of you.

Again, how else do they gain success?

I’m not here to throw shade and put a bad wrap on journalists, but I believe writing is powerful. Words are powerful.

Even for me, I challenge you to analyze the material you’re reading and maybe, their end goal.

It can be difficult in a world where content is so incredibly saturated and creators are just looking to make an income.

Trust me, it’s a battle.

Sponsored posts can merely be for a product the influencer enjoyed but maybe don’t use on a regular basis. It doesn’t mean they don’t recommend the product or wouldn’t use it, but their end goal may be profit.

It says a lot when a product is part of a person’s normal routine because that means they see true value in it and it’s sustainable.

All this to say, we don’t even have to go looking for a product to try to be sold something. We get scooped in to ads the moment we enter the internet.

So, tune out. The less we absorb of something like this, the more we can think for ourselves and do a check into our own reality.

If the content you’re consuming isn’t enlightening or encouraging you in any way, then what good is it?

Here’s your practical tip: Figure out the social media platform that steals you most. Start there. Utilize the tools at your disposal. You can set time limits in your own phone settings. Or if that’s not restrictive enough, try another app. My husband’s been loving Opal.

Another trick: Have a set-apart spot for your devices (including your phone). Whether it’s a basket, a cabinet, or just a specific area, utilize this as a catch-all and designated space so you won’t be tempted to just reach for your phone because it’s always sitting right beside you.

Tune In

If you’re overwhelmed by the world news, especially if it sends you over the edge and your anxiety sky-rockets, it might be worth asking yourself what’s also happening on the inside.

When things are out of control, why do you feel the need to control it?

In 7th grade, a teacher of mine shared that the only thing we have control over is our attitude. When the world is chaotic and others’ input is affecting your mind, the only piece you have ahold of is your attitude.

But our peace was never something we could create on our own. If we’re going to have this conversation about not letting the world overwhelm you, I have to point back to the Truth that holds us secure.

“Take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Amidst the troubles of this world, we can have hope. While there’s destruction today, we can hope in our future. Living by the tides will not sustain your mood or sanity.

When we rest in the idea that nothing can overtake us, we don’t have to worry about any moment.

I’ve learned that no matter how hard we try, there’s nothing we can control in this world… other than our attitude. Our age, our wealth, our physical security, our health; it’s all out of our hands. We can do our best to maintain and steward it, but the end result is outside of our control.

Pour into Your Physical Self

If you’re still seeing an imbalance in your mood and it’s difficult to sustain your positivity, it might be time to check into your physical self. Our mood is largely connected to our energy and as we learned before, our energy is dictated by how we invest into ourselves.

Exercise, hydration, nourishment, and rest.

Are you getting enough movement and fresh air? Sometimes a simple, little walk outside helps you realize that not all is lost.

Hydrate and nourish. We’ve all been a little hangry. You might just need to be giving your body more nutrients than it’s had so it feels secure.

(Females in particular need to feel replenished and secure to reset. Without this, our bodies go into stress.)

Lastly, rest deeply. Resting isn’t necessarily lying on the couch or taking it easy. Deep rest is found in uninterrupted sleep where you experience rejuvenation.

If you don’t take care of your physical self enough, you will see a depletion in your mood.

As believers (and parents too), we are called to sacrifice ourselves for those in need. But sometimes, you are at the end of your rope and don’t know how to show up for others because you’ve stretched yourself way too thin. Meeting those basic needs for yourself ensures you put your best self forward and able to be there for those around you.

I’ll wrap up with saying that you were made as a unique individual created to also create and put things out into the world, whatever medium it may be. Consuming so much content contradicts that. We were designed to spur one another on and keep each other accountable, so our work should bless others rather than steal from them. Next time you open your phone, turn on your TV, or flip to the news, ask yourself if it’s supporting or hindering you.

Is it helpful for your soul?

OG