As I’m writing this, a massive, 40-mile long convoy of armored tanks and vehicles has reached and is surrounding Ukraine’s capitol. More than 400 civilians have already died and the prospect of many more looms. Russian President Vladimir Putin has ominously put Russia’s nuclear arsenal on high alert.

These headlines raise a prospect we don’t want to think about – but how can we not! The grim and terrifying possibility of World War III has suddenly shot onto our global radar.

How can you not be anxious about this? How can anyone who lives with depression not be thrown over the edge or, at least, plunked right at its edge? For me, this reality that’s playing out across the media is unthinkable. Yet it’s happening. And it makes me want to grab my dearest friends and loved ones and hug them tight.

It’s easy to fall into depression when horrible, life-altering circumstances fill the air waves. Yes it’s frightening. Yes we should be concerned. But at the same time, we MUST find a way to take whatever action we can and dig our fingernails into holding on to our sense of balance at the same time. It’s vital to our well-being that we DON’T go over the edge and fall into the depression pit.

As I talk about in my book You Aren’t Depression’s Victim, there are actions we can take to help steady ourselves in the face of this or any other unfolding crisis. Here are a few suggestions I’ve found that help.

Stay informed – but don’t obsess about it! Watch the news at some point during your day, then TURN IT OFF! The the 24-hour news cycle and its opportunities for watching hours of news broadcasts can be detrimental to your mental health.

British psychologist Dr. Graham Davey, Ph.D., professor emeritus of psychology at the UK’s Sussex University and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Experimental Psychopathology, specializes in the psychological effects of media violence. Violent media exposure, he says, can exacerbate or contribute to the development of stress, anxiety, depression and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). So get informed, but be sure to take a break from the ongoing distressing news.

Here’s another suggestion. Do something during your day that brings you some joy. If you have a pet, spend some time playing with them. Do you garden? Get out in the sunshine! Sunshine and fresh air are great health restorers.

Something else to pay attention to. Try not to overeat or binge out on high carb foods. I did this recently after having worked very hard to trim back my COVID-related weight gain. While I enjoyed every bite of my pita chips (an old favorite), it left me feeling blah and frumpy – and grumpy at myself for having indulged. It’s easy to fall back into old bad habits when the world seems like its on fire. But remember that you have to take care of YOU not matter what’s happening. If you don’t, that depression pit gets right in your face!

One more thing. If you feel like taking some kind of action, find a group that’s doing something to help or that sends money to the Ukraine. There are many worthy and reputable organizations that have stepped up. I’m a big rescue animal lover so I donated funds for supplies to help animals that have come out of Ukraine. Any and every little bit helps. And taking SOME action helps us both keep perspective and feel better for having done something!

These are a few things you can do to help yourself right now. There are plenty more and I’ll be writing about some other related ideas soon.

Meanwhile, let me know your thoughts about how you’re dealing with depression / anxiety during these incredibly difficult times. Thanks for reaching out and be sure to come back!