Finding Calm in the Chaos: 3 Steps to Achieve More Peace
It’s tough to get away from the constant stream of bad news lately. Whether it’s global tragedies or things hitting close to home, it’s all right there on our little rectangular distraction machines. Since the pandemic, it feels like we’ve been stuck in a relentless cycle of challenges—one piling on top of the other, testing what’s left of our resilience. The divisiveness from the US election has only made things worse, acting as the straw that finally broke the camel’s back for so many. Honestly, it feels like everyone is hanging on by a verrrry thin thread right now.
So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and stretched to your limit right now—take solace in knowing you’re far from alone.
With everything going on, it begs the question: How do we maintain a sense of peace in a world that feels like it’s constantly shifting (and not in a good way)? How can we ground ourselves amidst the chaos?
Here are three concrete steps you can start implementing today to experience more peace:
1) Grounding: Close your eyes, take three deep breaths, and silently or aloud repeat, ‘I am here’ on the inhale and ‘now’ on the exhale.
It’s winter here in Calgary, and we’ve just had a foot of snow, so while grounding might not always involve stepping outside to feel the earth beneath your feet, there are other ways to ground yourself in any moment (like the breathing exercise above). Here’s why deep breathing helps:
It balances oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood, leaving us feeling more alert and centered.
It shifts us from sympathetic (stress) state to parasympathetic (calm) state.
2) Mindfulness: Become aware of what you’re feeling in the moment, without becoming overwhelmed by or overly attached to the feeling itself.
Mindfulness is about observing your feelings with curiosity and acceptance, rather than judgment. If you're unsure about what you’re feeling, you might find it helpful to refer to the Feelings Wheel for guidance.
Mindfulness helps us create space between our emotional reactions and our actions, allowing us to respond with clarity rather than being driven by the intensity of the moment.
Just by naming what it is you’re feeling, you can create some distance and lessen it’s intensity and hold on you
3) Action: Ask yourself, “How can I take meaningful action here at home?”
While it’s easy to feel helpless in the face of global tragedies, real change often begins on a smaller scale—within ourselves and our immediate communities. It’s unrealistic to expect to solve complex, distant issues like a century-old war, but you can make a difference in the life of someone struggling right in front of you.
Small acts of kindness and support at home, in your neighbourhood, or within your community can create a ripple effect. By being proactive and offering help locally, we lay the foundation for broader, more meaningful change.
The challenges we’re collectively facing right now may feel overwhelming, but they’re not new. The ebb and flow of life—this balance between chaos and calm—has always been part of the human experience. These turbulent moments will come and go, but what truly matters is how we hold our own experience of what is happening. Are we allowing it to consume us? Are we avoiding the truth by turning away from what’s really going on? Are we tapping into the strength of our community in difficult times?
By grounding ourselves, practicing mindfulness, and taking meaningful action, we can cultivate resilience and peace from within, no matter what’s happening around us.
