10 tips of handling fear and uncertainty

There are many disturbing news stories on the world stage these days. This creates more anxiety and worries for many people than usual.

. Here are some brief tips that might be useful:

1. Live life as normally as possible – don’t let fear narrow your life.
2. Push away worries through distraction – a good book, a movie, or something else that locks your thoughts onto something else.
3. Think «strong thoughts» and repeat them to yourself if you become anxious: «There is no reason for this to happen here,» «The police are more vigilant than ever before,» «I am safe,» «This will be okay.»
4. Exercise, calm music, and various relaxation methods can be used if the anxiety is great.
5. Activities provide double benefits – you experience something, and your thoughts are kept away from worries.
6. Accept that life will always be somewhat uncertain – you cannot control everything.
7. Be mindful of how much you read or watch news about traumatic events – limit yourself to one update daily.
8. Let worry thoughts gather in a daily short «worry time» (10 minutes). If they appear otherwise, repeat each time that «I will think about these thoughts during my worry time.»
9. Leave it to the police to keep watch. You will become tense and anxious if you keep a 24-hour watch.
10. If you worry very strongly, for example, because you have been affected by terrorism, war, or trauma before, seek help if it becomes too much.