If you don’t live under a rock, then you know that in the US, it’s been quite a week. Three mass shootings in one week, followed by the typical responses: Fighting. Fear. Hatred. Anger. Spewing from all sides.
Energy is contagious.
Some of us — highly sensitive people, empaths — may notice a greater impact, but nobody is immune.
This is why its so important to watch what you’re feeding yourself — not just the food you put into your body, but what you read, what you listen to, who you surround yourself with.
It matters. More than you may realize.
This isn’t just woo-woo stuff.
According to researchers, mass killings are contagious.
If all of this feels like too much, take a deep breath (that alone will help).
Here are three things you can do to shift your energy when the news is terrible:
(1) Stop Reading the News
The first step to get out of the chaos is to put down your devices and turn off the news.
I am not saying that you should ignore all news. But there’s a huge range between knowing what’s happening in the world and reading every story about it.
I’m a news junkie, so this is hard for me, but I’ve learned that I don’t need to read every single article about a story. Once I know what happened, that’s enough. Then it’s time to move on.
(2) Stay Off of Social Media
If you walk into a room feeling angry or fearful, that rubs off on the people around you. And vice versa. We absorb the energy from others, even without speaking to them.
These days we don’t need to literally “walk into a room.” We do it digitally, through social media and message boards and article comments. Even if you don’t jump into the conversations, that energy still affects you.
I’ve learned to stay away from social media in the wake of mass casualties or other divisive news events. If you’re going to go online, find a corner of the internet that’s not talking about the latest news, or politics, or other divisive issues.
(3) Spread Good Energy
Energy is contagious.
This means that we can combat the hate and fear with different energy.
Love. Kindness. Respect.
People who are treated with kindness and respect tend to pay that kindness forward to others.
We don’t need to wait for Random Acts of Kindness day to spread kindness.
A little bit of kindness can pay a lot of dividends. Studies show that it impacts both the recipient of the kindness and people who observe it. It also makes the giver feel good.
You never know how you might change someone’s day, and perhaps their life, just by offering even the smallest kindness.
A warm smile. A kind word. Looking someone in the eye and asking how they are.
Energy is contagious. Pass it on.
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