Life is feeling heavy these days, especially when you’re facing a whirlwind of global stress-inducing issues, like:
- tumultuous elections;
- environmental disasters;
- and worldwide conflicts.
Whether you’re deeply engaged in current events or simply affected by the weight of it all, it’s natural to feel exhausted and overwhelmed. Not to mention the normal stress of fundraising and/or leading your nonprofit!
Taking care of yourself isn’t just a luxury in times like these — it’s a necessity.
11 Ways for Fundraisers and Nonprofit Leaders to Cope
Below are eleven specific ways (and a few out-of-the-box ideas) to take care of yourself when life feels like it’s too much.
1. Give Yourself a Digital Detox
It’s common advice to step away from screens, but it works. Choose specific times of day when you know the news or social media will trigger anxiety and intentionally avoid those times.
For example, don’t check social media or watch the news first thing in the morning or right before bed. Instead, select specific times during the day to keep yourself informed, limiting your consumption of overwhelming news.
2. Create a No-Phone Zone
Carve out a physical space in your home or office dedicated to self-care. This might be a nook where you can meditate, read, or relax. It could also be as simple as a cozy chair, a blanket, and a few comforting objects by your side. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, retreat to this space for 10 or 15 minutes to catch your breath.
3. Immerse Yourself in Nature (Even Indoors)
Take a walk in nature every day. Spend a little time looking up at the sky and taking in the flowers, plants, and trees.
If the environment outside your window doesn’t feel very calming — whether it’s due to climate issues or urban living — create a nature-immersive experience indoors. Invest in a few plants or watch nature videos to give your mind the restorative power of green spaces. The simple act of watering plants or listening to a nature soundscape while working can help ground you and reduce stress.
4. Focus Locally
The scope of global challenges can make you feel powerless. So why not redirect that energy into something tangible?
Volunteer with a local organization, attend a neighborhood clean-up, or support a community garden. By contributing to your local community, you regain a sense of control and feel the positive impact you’re making, even if it’s on a smaller scale.
5. Start a Creative Gratitude Journal
Instead of just writing “I’m grateful for…” take it a step further with a creative gratitude journal:
- Draw or doodle your gratitude
- Turn your gratefulness it into poetry
- Create a collage of those things for which you’re most thankful
Engage the artistic side of your brain — it allows for a more immersive, positive experience, and it will help shift your focus from anxiety to appreciation.
6. Reconnect with an Old Friend
There’s nothing like checking in with an old friend or colleague as balm for the soul. Send a text, email, or pick up the phone to check in and find out how they’re doing. Let them know you are thinking of them.
Bringing a smile to someone else will always warm your heart.
7. Try Grounding Techniques for Immediate Relief
When stress peaks and you feel overwhelmed, turn to grounding techniques. These simple, sensory-based actions help bring you back to the present moment.
For example, try holding an ice cube, rubbing your hands together, or focusing on the colors and textures of the room around you. These practices can interrupt spiraling thoughts and bring you back to the here and now.
8. Hire Help
While not always practical, hire help whenever possible. This includes help cleaning your house, having groceries delivered, or using a virtual assistant.
You can hire people for nearly any task these days. This additional time saved will enable you to focus on the highest and best uses of your brainpower and emotional intelligence.
9. Start a “Non-Book Club” Club
My friends and I started a reading club where we get together once a month to quietly read our own books. There’s no pressure to read a book you don’t enjoy or even finish by a certain deadline. Gather at someone’s home or in a coffee shop for an hour or two. Read quietly for 45 minutes and then share what you read with your group in a relaxed, no-pressure disucssion.
10. Take Micro-Breaks
Instead of waiting for a vacation, weekend, or even a day off, take micro-breaks throughout the day. These 5-minute breaks help you step away, both mentally and physically.
For example, you might stretch, focus on your breathing, or simply close your eyes and meditate. Remember, this isn’t just about physical rest — micro-breaks allow you to reset emotionally. Even in the midst of work or news updates, it can halt the buildup of stress (even if only temporarily).
11. Join a Support Group or Create One
We often feel isolated when dealing with the weight of global issues. Joining a support group, whether for mental health, activism, or a shared hobby, can create a sense of connection and purpose. If none of your friends or family feel the same urgency about current events, find an online or local group where you can discuss your concerns, find solutions, and build community resilience.
You’re Awesome, So Give Yourself a Break
In times of crisis, it’s easy to feel like you’re not doing “enough.” Be gentle with yourself. You’re allowed to rest, take time for yourself, and step away. Self-care is not selfish. It’s a vital practice that enables you to continue contributing to the world, even in small ways.
Whether you’re feeling the pressure from an upcoming election, overwhelmed by natural disasters, or heartbroken by the wars happening around the globe, these practices can help you regain your balance. You deserve peace, even (and especially) when the world feels so chaotic.
Thank you for this Amy…right on time!