There’s no question that the news is difficult to read and absorb right now. The idea of conflict in Europe is an unfamiliar one to many of us. And the images we’re seeing from Ukraine are hard to process.

For those of us who experience anxiety it can make us feel worried and stressed over what, if anything, might come next. We’ve got some tips that might help you cope but if these feelings become overwhelming, please reach out.

• Limit your news intake. Watching or reading the news can be a helpful way to stay informed, but it can also increase our feeling of anxiety or fear. You might come across speculation and how it might affect the rest of the world, including the UK, which can be hard to process.
• Try only looking at the news at certain times of the day, for a limited duration, and then doing something relaxing afterwards. Make sure you stick to reliable, trusted news sources that don’t engage in ‘what ifs’.
• Tailor your social media feeds. When a news story is developing, it can be tempting to go online and see what others are saying. But that might leave you feeling anxious – especially if people are sharing content you’re trying to avoid, or posting concerning feelings or opinions.
• Try taking a break or limiting how you use social media. Make sure you regularly ask yourself – “is this helping me?”
• Talk to someone. It can be a huge relief to talk to someone you trust about how you’re feeling and say your worries out loud. It may be that just having someone listen to you and show they care can help in itself.
• Take action. Activism can be a great antidote to feelings of helplessness. When you’re feeling distressed about something specific, it could help to do something proactive. There are some helpful ideas on Global Citizen. Also, the Buckinghamshire Council website has a list of three key organisations offering a range of support to the ongoing crisis in the Ukraine.