Here’s How to stop the madness
If everything feels chaotic and crazy to you right now, you're not alone.
According to the American Psychological Association’s 2024 “Stress in America” report, over 75% of adults report feeling overwhelmed by stress on a regular basis. Economic uncertainty, political divisiveness, climate change, and the relentless stream of bad news have created what many describe as a constant low-level panic. Nearly 8 in 10 adults say the future of the nation is a significant source of stress, and 71% say they're worried about money. And with smartphones glued to our hands and minds constantly pulled in multiple directions. It’s no wonder we feel so stressed out!
So how do we stop the madness? It won’t happen by accident—but it can happen with intention.
1. Unplug from the Media—Intentionally
The 24/7 neurotic news cycle and the addictive nature of social media platforms are designed to keep us in a state of hyper-vigilance. Studies show that excessive media consumption increases anxiety, depression, and even physical symptoms like headaches and insomnia. If you’re feeling wound so tight that you might explode, you may need a media detox. And with any detox, you’ll want to start little by little until you don’t "need” the media fix as much. You may even find you really like not being so connected all the time.
Set boundaries—limit yourself to one or two media check-ins per day.
Choose reputable, balanced sources rather than doomscrolling feeds.
Turn off notifications. Your nervous system will thank you.
You don’t have to be uninformed to be at peace—you just have to be selective.
2. Refocus on What Actually Matters to You
When everything feels like an emergency, it’s easy to lose sight of your own goals, values, and needs. What brings you calm? Who matters most? What do you want to build or protect in your life? Take the time to really think about this because it’s YOUR life and YOU get decide what deserves your attention and time. Just because the world seems so chaotic right now, it doesn’t mean you need to worry about it 24/7. Do what you can to make your situation better then decide what’s important right now to you and give THAT all your attention.
Start your day with 10 minutes of quiet—journal, meditate, or simply breathe.
Make a “core values” list and see where you’re living out of alignment.
Say no more often. Every “yes” should be a reflection of your priorities, not your stress or guilt.
Reclaiming your focus is an act of self-respect.
3. Simplify to Save Money—and your Sanity
One major source of stress for many is financial pressure. But peace doesn’t have to be expensive—it often comes from simplifying rather than adding more. The media tells us we need more to be happy but many of us are seeing that’s not the path to a happy life, many times it’s the path to crushing debt. Yes, things are more expensive and it appears to be getting harder to afford the things we need, but you have the capacity to make more money and spend it on what’s important to you (see point above). The thing is you have to get really clear on what’s valuable to you. Once you know that, you can say “no” to the things you think will make you happy but really don’t.
Audit your subscriptions and expenses. Cancel what you don’t use.
Cook more meals at home (it’s healthier, cheaper, and grounding).
Practice mindful spending. Ask: “Does this bring me real value or just temporary relief?”
Cutting back doesn't mean scarcity—it can mean clarity and freedom.
You don't have to live in survival mode.
The world may not calm down anytime soon, but you can. Start with small, consistent steps to disconnect from chaos, realign with your purpose, and live with more financial and emotional intention.
The madness stops when you decide to stop feeding it.
