How to stay calm when there's so much uncertainty in the world

There's no doubt that lately there has been so much happening on the political and economical arena, that some us might wonder what to expect next and where is the end to all this chaos. The scariest part of it all is a negative effect it has on the mental state of people, especially teenagers. There are days when I personally feel like burying my head in the sand as the emotions overhelm me and I feel powerless. It helps me to realize that I'm not alone in this so below I will share some tips that help me to stay grounded and focused in the times of uncertainty. Those are the stones that will help you to keep it together when all goes down.

1. Build daily routine that stimulates you physically, mentally, psychologically and spiritually. Activities can include anything from Qigong to journalling. Find something that works for you and do it daily. You will notice how in the times of uncertainty or big changes, it can be very grounding to have a daily routine.

2. Noticing and changing patterns of breathing.When we stress out, we tend to switch to mouth breathing. While it can still transport the air into the lungs, it also stimulates the fight or flight response in our nervous system. In a stressful situation try to notice when you switch to mouth breathing and take a couple of deep inhales through your nose with prolonged exhales through your mouth to balance out your nervous system. Continue with nose breathing.

3. Exercise regularly. It's a more obvious one but it has been proven that exercise increases levels of endorphins or so called happiness hormone. It's important to find something that you particularly enjoy though. It can be dancing to your favourite music tracks, practising yoga, running or jumping like a kid. Find something that gives you the most joy and don't be afraid to experiment with it.

4. Make sure that what you put into your system is beneficial for you. Pay extra attention to what you eat, to what you watch or what you listen to. I know some of it we don't choose or can't control but for what you can, put only the best seeds into your garden as it will help you to nurture it and not to destroy. For example, get started with the news. I personally haven't watched news for a very long time now and I feel that I haven't missed out much. Believe me, I still get all the important world updates from my family and friends ;) I understand that for some of you it might important to stay up to date for work or other purposes. In that case I recommend minimizing the time you spend reading or watching the news. Try it and you will feel the difference.

5. Reach out for support. If you are feeling down and nothing seems to help to get back on the feet, reach out to your friends, family or community for support. You might be surpirised how many others are experiencing what you are going through right now. It helps to understand that you are not alone and that you don't have to hide to process your emotions. A professional help can also be very beneficial if you can afford it.

6. Meditation. I have no words to describe how much meditation have helped me in life. When all seems to break down around me, it's the main source of help for me. I close my eyes, breathe deep into myself and find that state of peace within. I often use guided meditations as it helps when someone with a calm and caring voice guides you through the process.

7. Continue being you and doing what you love. In the times of uncertainty it's important to switch focus from external to internal world. If you focus so much on the external, it's easy to get lost in all the events and troubles of the world. Focusing on the your inner world instead will help you to stay grounded and focused.

8. And most importantly, anicca. It's a word the Buddha used in his teachings to refer to that nothing is permanent. All things come and go, so it's important to accept what is here and observe it as a lesson, as it will too pass. As weather changes, so does the mood, life situations and world conditions.