Strategies to cope during unsettling times

With all of the troubling news happening in the world recently, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless. Some people may be looking for ways to cope and to help manage the stress and anxiety they are experiencing. 

We reached out to Dr. Irene Gammel, a professor in the Department of English and executive director of the Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), who is an expert in literature of crisis, trauma and mourning, and war, culture and the media. Dr. Gammel offers some tips to help support the TMU alumni community during these unsettling times. Here is what she suggests:

Take care of yourself

• Be mindful in consuming information. Focus on reliable sources, control exposure and practice media literacy.
• Find a creative outlet for processing emotions.
• Apply critical thinking skills to explore upheaval, despair and resilience.

Manage stress and anxiety

• Connect with empathetic friends, family and community to provide an outlet for sharing concerns and engaging in constructive conversations with others who are experiencing similar emotions.
  
• Nurture personal coping strategies and simple rituals to manage anxiety.
  
• Engage in creative pursuits, such as maintaining a reflective journal or using drawing or photography, to think creatively through difficult situations. 

Reach out for support

• Connect with friends, including alumni friends. With their shared history and understanding, they can often serve as an essential source of comfort and companionship during challenging times.

• Access resources. TMU provides information on its resources, from international student support to care and well-being services for students, staff and faculty.
  
• Seek professional help when stress and anxiety become overwhelming. Mental health experts can offer guidance and interventions tailored to an individual’s specific needs. 

Practice empathy

Engaging in conversations on sensitive topics requires the practice of empathy:

• Be an active listener.
• Refrain from hasty judgments. 
• Respect other people’s boundaries.
• Choose an appropriate setting and time conducive to open conversation.
• Avoid discussing sensitive topics in hurried environments as this can impede thoughtful dialogue.