It’s becoming increasingly common to hear clients say, “I just feel off lately. Like I’m waiting for something bad to happen”, or “it feels that there are terrible things happening everywhere, have we learnt nothing?”
They are not necessarily facing personal crises. In fact, many are doing well by external measures, holding steady jobs or going to school or university, supporting their families, staying physically healthy. But underneath it all, there’s a quiet, relentless hum of anxiety. And it’s not just individual stress. It’s something bigger: the psychological toll of living in a world that feels perpetually uncertain.
As global dynamics shift — politically, economically, environmentally, many of us are carrying a level of psychological strain that is hard to name, but easy to feel.
The Psychological Impact of Global Uncertainty
Global change doesn’t stay “out there.” It lands in the nervous system. The 24/7 news cycle, social media, and instant updates mean we’re constantly absorbing information about wars, climate disasters, economic downturns, and social unrest — sometimes all before breakfast.
This creates a constant sense of threat, triggering our brain’s primal alarm system. The amygdala goes on high alert, flooding us with stress hormones, while the prefrontal cortex — responsible for planning, regulation, and perspective, struggles to keep us grounded.
This imbalance doesn’t just create worry; it erodes our executive functioning. People report difficulty concentrating, increased forgetfulness, trouble making decisions, and emotional reactivity. Essentially, the brain starts operating in “survival mode,” making it harder to actively engage in the present or thoughtful, future-oriented behavior.
Anxiety in an Uncertain World
One of the most common emotional responses we see is anxiety, not just about personal lives, but about the state of the world. This anxiety often manifests in several ways:
1. Anticipatory Anxiety
Even when things are relatively stable, the possibility of crisis creates tension. Individuals become hypervigilant, constantly scanning for what might go wrong next. This can lead to compulsive news checking, doomscrolling, and an overwhelming need to be prepared for every scenario.
2. Paralysis and Avoidance
For some, chronic anxiety leads to shutdown. They stop making plans, avoid responsibilities, and disengage. What appears as procrastination or lack of motivation is often a nervous system overwhelmed by uncertainty.
3. Existential Overload
Uncertainty invites big questions: “What’s the point of planning anything? Can I really make a difference? Is the world getting worse?” These questions can spiral into a sense of helplessness or even despair if not addressed with care and support.
The Weight of War and Political Instability
In recent years, global conflict and political unrest have taken center stage. Wars in Europe, the Middle East, and other regions dominate headlines. Shifts in global alliances, rising authoritarianism, and polarisation within democracies have created a climate of unpredictability that impacts everyone, even those living far from the direct line of fire.
What used to feel like distant geopolitical issues now lands emotionally in people’s homes, hearts, and bodies. Many people describe a kind of moral fatigue or emotional burnout, the cumulative weight of watching tragedy unfold without being able to meaningfully intervene.
We see this manifest in people as a quiet but corrosive anxiety: “If the people in power don’t know what they’re doing, who’s looking after us?” or “If war can erupt anywhere, at any time, how do I keep my family safe?”
These are not irrational questions. They are valid emotional responses to a world that feels untethered. Naming them is a first step toward managing them.
Building Stability in an Unstable World
While we can’t control global dynamics, we can support our inner world and that of the children and teens in our care.
Here are some ways to help regulate anxiety in the face of uncertainty:
Anchor in Daily Routines: Predictable rhythms help calm the nervous system — for both adults and children.
Control the Controllable: Instead of trying to fix everything, focus on the small choices that matter — how you spend your time, how you speak to yourself, how you connect with others.
Limit Exposure: Be mindful of how much news or social media you’re consuming. Information is important — but overload is counterproductive.
Name the Feeling: Simply labelling an emotion (“I’m feeling anxious right now”) activates the brain’s regulatory circuits and creates a small but meaningful sense of distance.
Model Calm and Curiosity: Children are always watching. When adults model calm, flexible thinking, and openness, kids learn that it’s possible to feel uncertain and still move forward.
Reconnect with Purpose: Even amidst chaos, reconnecting with values through creativity, community (such as through arts, sporting clubs, neighbourhood or community centres), service, workplaces or learning can provide meaning and momentum.
It’s normal to feel off-balance in an off-balance world. But uncertainty doesn’t have to mean despair. It can be a call to pause, reflect, and reorient toward what matters most. We might not be able to solve global instability on our own, but we can create small islands of steadiness - in our minds, our homes, and our relationships. Sometimes, that is more powerful than we think.
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Our highly trained psychologists can provide support if things feel overwhelming right now. Please call our team on 9882-8874 to book in with one of our team members today. Alternatively fill in our contact form here to get in touch.
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