JustBe Kind range of candle, herbal tea, massage oil, rollerball & body butter sitting on living room table with candler in the back with October 10th circled

When Global Events Feel Like Too Much

October 10th is World Mental Health Day 

This year’s theme Mental health in humanitarian emergencies, highlights the urgent need to support the mental and emotional wellbeing of people affected by crises such as natural disasters, conflict and public health emergencies. Supporting people’s wellbeing in such times saves lives, gives people strength to cope and helps communities heal and rebuild.

It’s not just those directly affected by emergencies who feel the emotional impact of global instability. In today’s digital world, many of us are constantly surrounded by distressing headlines from humanitarian crises to climate change, social injustice and economic uncertainty. The Mental Health Foundation calls this experience global overwhelm and it’s something many of us can relate to.

Endless news alerts and social media updates can make it feel impossible to switch off. We want to stay informed and supportive, yet the constant stream of bad news can leave us feeling anxious, helpless, or emotionally drained.

If you’ve ever found yourself doomscrolling late at night or feeling like the world’s problems are too big to bear, you’re not alone. These are human reactions to an increasingly unstable world.

Finding Balance in a Busy World

Chronic stress from constant exposure to crisis can affect both body and mind  from fatigue and tension to difficulty concentrating, irritability and emotional numbness. The first step to easing that overwhelm is awareness.

Here are some gentle ways, inspired by the Mental Health Foundation’s advice, to help you protect your wellbeing when it all feels too much:

  • Set boundaries with the news: Limit how often you check updates and turn off notifications, especially before bed.

  • Ground yourself: Get doors or take a mindful pause to reconnect with the present.

  • Create phone-free moments: Give yourself digital downtime to reset and rest.

  • Focus on what you can control: Acts of kindness: volunteering, donating or check in with a friend. Help can transform helplessness into hope and a simple message to a friend can mean more than you know. Connection matters.

  • Give yourself permission to rest: Rest isn’t indulgent; it’s essential. A warm bath or a quiet cup of tea can help you recharge.

Our JustBe Kind collection was created as a reminder to treat yourself and others with compassion. Each hand-blended product combines natural, mood-lifting botanicals designed to calm the senses and nurture emotional balance. Every purchase from this range supports the Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH), funding vital services that offer hope, connection, and care for those facing mental health challenges here in Scotland.

This year’s theme reminds us that mental health is universal. Whether we’re supporting people in crisis or nurturing our own emotional balance, every act of kindness matters.

Back to blog