to focus on what we can control, instead
of what we cannot. When we prioritize
our responsibilities, and take them one
step at a time, we feel calmer and more
grounded, which automatically makes
us feel more flexible and tolerant. Ac-
ceptance means accepting what is and
moving on.
Enjoy Nature, A
Cure For Feeling
Overwhelmed
Increasingly adults and children
spend time online. The Internet can pro-
vide resources that facilitate positive
experiences and self-expression, but the
temptation to overuse technology to pro-
vide an escape from real-life challenges
is ever-present. That’s why it’s impor-
tant to remember to spend time in nature
each day and encourage your kids to do
the same. On a particularly busy day,
even five minutes spent with feet on the
ground outdoors can refresh our connec-
tion to the earth we all share.
Regroup Beyond
Bad News
The 24-hour news cycle makes our
busy lives seem scarier than they actu-
ally are. To regain control of your peace
of mind, limit your family’s exposure
to news while it’s happening. Breaking
news is often a competition between
outlets for eyeballs without appropri-
ate ethical restraint to filter out images
and headlines that needlessly frighten
viewers. Schedule plenty of unplugged
downtime with your family, so everyone
can regroup regularly without the inter-
ruption of the latest tragedies.
Agree To Disagree,
Avoid Antagonism
There are more opportunities to ar-
gue, debate, and fight with others than
ever before. The Internet makes it easy
to seek out whomever you consider the
opposition and wage virtual war against
them, whether arguing about a contro-
versial topic, coping with Internet trolls,
or fighting with family members about
divergent political views. A simple so-
lution is to require face-to-face interac-
tions when sorting out disagreements
rather than getting sucked into a public
word duel.
Cooperate Over
Competing
With so much disturbing news con-
stantly streaming at us, no wonder the
world starts to feel like survival of the
fittest. In order to cooperate and flourish,
we have to feel safe and secure. When
scarcity rules, we start unconsciously
competing with each other for the myth
of limited resources. But when coopera-
tion is valued as much as competition,
the world becomes a much friendlier
place.
Find Empathy,
Not Apathy
With so much stress in the world,
numbing out may seem like a sensible
choice. But perhaps the best strategy is
to stay present in the moment and no-
tice the folks who are right in front of us.
Hold the door for the person coming in
behind you, pick up something dropped
by an elderly person, and smile at the
counter worker and wish them a nice
day. Little acts of kindness celebrate the
human connection.
Choose Joy,
Transcend Suffering
So often these days, good news
seems to roll in with bad news following
swiftly behind. It’s easier to say every-
thing stinks, instead of making an effort
to find something to appreciate. Why not
try a little harder to amplify the good in
the world, while simultaneously affirm-
ing your ability to withstand petty an-
noyances. Shoo away the habit of get-
ting annoyed and focus on the sweetness
in the world. Once you master this, you
really are in charge of your own attitude.
Author, journalist and coach Christina
Katz used to think it was better to say
nothing at all rather than something that
might rock the boat. These days she’s
speaking up and letting the chips fall
where they may with positive results.
How To Deal With Difficult People
For Parents & Kids
How To Deal With Difficult People: Smart Tactics For Overcoming The
Problem People In Your Life By Gill Hasson
De-escalate: How To Calm An Angry Person in 90 Seconds Or Less by
Douglas E. Noll
The Bullying Workbook For Teens: Activities To Help You Deal With Social
Aggression And Cyberbullying by Raychelle Cassada Lohmann MS LPC and
Julia V. Taylor PhD
Stick Up For Yourself, Every Kid’s Guide To Personal Power And Positive
Self-esteem by Gershen Kaufman, Lev Raphael, Pamela Espeland
January 2019 WNY Family 11