1239: When The World Feels Heavy: Staying Grounded Without Shutting Down

In today's episode, Gina discusses how to navigate the information space of our often overwhelming world through deliberate news and information exposure regulation. Both extremes of being constantly connected and entirely disconnected with information about our world (via electronic media) are often untenable practices for most people. A few strategies are suggested for allowing some news and other information into our psyches in more structured ways to reduce negative impact on our minds. Listen in and start reducing anxiety today! Stillpoint Fridays is my once-a-week Friday note — a slower, more personal reflection that’s different from what I share on the podcast. If you’d like a quiet place to land as the week winds down, you can join here: or on our website anxietycoachespodcast.com and sign up for the newsletter. Please visit our Sponsor Page to find all the links and codes for our awesome sponsors! Website Join our community Group Coaching Join our Group Coaching Full or Mini Membership Program 1:1 Coaching Learn more about our One-on-One Coaching If you prefer to listen AD-FREE , try our Supercast premium access membership : Learn more about anxiety What is anxiety? Free Guided Meditation for Calming Your Anxious Mind 10-Minute Body-Scan Meditation for Anxiety Quote: You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first. -Norm Kelly Chapters 0:26 Aloha and Welcome 2:05 The Weight of the World 4:44 Finding a Middle Path 7:14 Protecting Your Nervous System 10:31 Creating Gentle Boundaries 11:47 Scheduling News Consumption 15:03 Staying Grounded and Present 17:29 Addressing Doom Thinking 18:33 Breathing and Boundaries 19:37 Closing Thoughts and Aloha Summary In this episode of the Anxiety Coaches Podcast, I delve into the ways we can manage the heaviness of the world while maintaining our mental and emotional well-being. I want to explore what it means to stay grounded amidst the chaos, without resorting to shutting down or completely disengaging from the world around us. In our previous discussion, we highlighted how internal negativity contributes to anxiety, but today, I'm widening the lens to examine the external factors contributing to this weight we often feel in our lives. We live in an age of constant connectivity, where the influx of information can feel overwhelming. Historically, people experienced heavy times, but the difference now is the relentless flow of news—conflict, uncertainty, and fear flood our feeds at all hours, straining our nervous systems. My aim is to reassure you that if you're feeling overwhelmed or anxious, it's a logical response to the environment. You're not alone, and it's vital to acknowledge the reality of our world while finding a healthy balance. Throughout the episode, I discuss two common extremes people fall into when faced with the weight of global issues: overexposure and avoidance. Overexposure—constantly checking news updates and social media—can lead to exhaustion and helplessness. Conversely, avoidance—ignoring world events and attempting to shut them out entirely—often results in disconnection and guilt. Many find themselves oscillating between these extremes, which complicates their emotional landscape. Here, I propose a middle path that allows for awareness and compassion toward the world while nurturing our own mental health. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , See Privacy Policy at and California Privacy Notice at .

You can listen to 1239: When The World Feels Heavy: Staying Grounded Without Shutting Down online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

1239: When The World Feels Heavy: Staying Grounded Without Shutting Down is an episode from The Anxiety Coaches Podcast by Gina Ryan.

This episode is 00:20:29 long.

This episode was published on Apr 22, 2026.

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