Our planet is a mess. Climate change is taking its toll and Covid is making a comeback. An unjustified war rages in Ukraine, economies are threatened by inflation and supply chain disruptions, stock markets are tanking, politicians remain dysfunctional and famine is beginning to spread across "undeveloped" countries.
While we must remain informed regarding these challenges and do our part in addressing them, we should not dwell on the relentless bad news; our mental and physical health depends on our willingness to tune out for most of each day. As I have emphasized in the past, rely on news sources that have proven credibility while not resorting to hyperbole and endless repetition to retain your attention.
Equally important is a source of physical and mental relaxation. Many find that biking, walking, reading, music and a variety of hobbies offer those benefits; some of us escape to nature. Immersing ourselves in natural ecosystems, we experience the tranquility that comes with divorcing ourselves (however temporarily) from the stress of human society. Unaware of the tribulations facing mankind, even though their welfare is threatened as well, wild creatures are focused solely on their personal needs and the needs of their offspring. Witnessing and absorbing that independent mindset benefits all of us during these troubled times.
