How to cope with the anxiety and fear of a bad news cycle that feels beyond your control

Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. On Saturday, Radio 1 presenter Greg James shared on Instagram post, linking to the British Red Cross’ Ukraine appeal, and saying : “We’re all feeling pretty useless, angry and heartbroken at the state of things in Ukraine.” The arrival of war came just as Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced an end to remaining coronavirus rules - but living through a global health pandemic over the past two years has been a rollercoaster of emotions in itself, with waves of fear and anxiety a common experience for many people. It’s also helpful to recognise that anxiety, although common and natural, is rarely useful in helping us achieve our aims.” She adds: “Try not to catastrophise on a personal level – yes, there are catastrophic things going on in the world, but part of the reason we can feel so acutely worried about them is because we start to see them as an attack on our personal safety and circumstances.” If you’re in a familiar environment, remind yourself that, at present, you are safe Plumer explains that it’s worth considering whether there are things that you’re worrying about that are within your control: “Of course you cannot assume responsibility for the entire climate crisis, but you can do your bit in terms of recycling and reducing carbon footprint. “This not only helps give some back a feeling of control and empowerment, but also the sense of connectedness and belonging we get from being part of a common goal and working towards a greater good can be hugely beneficial to our mental well-being.” Dr Becky Spelman, a psychologist from Private Therapy Clinic, adds: “It’s normal to feel an emotional reaction, but alongside that must be the recognition that most of it is out of your control. “One way to do this when you’re triggered is to mentally step back and remind yourself through a simple statement to surrender to the fact that it’s not something you can personally control, with the aim of changing your emotional state.” open image in gallery Offering advice on how to deal with anxiety during times of uncertainty, Brendan Street, Head of Emotional Wellbeing at Nuffield Health lists: Switch off “We’re bombarded with bad news and this takes its toll on our mental health.