Six tips
Wars, climate crisis, financial hardships: What helps to avoid sinking into world-weariness
Sometimes the world just feels like too much – there just seems to be war and crises everywhere. A feeling of powerlessness spreads: world-weariness.
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In view of the suffering, poverty and injustice in this world, an oppressive feeling can spread in the chest. Six tips for coping with world-weariness.
Images of children dying in the world’s wars, advancing climate change, financial hardships caused by rising food and heating costs and a pandemic not long ago. There is a lot of suffering around the globe and it doesn’t just pass us by. The world’s crises leave their mark – we feel helpless, sad and an oppressive feeling sits deep in our chests. We have world pain.
The term is not new. The poet Jean Paul coined it in the 19th century. For him, Weltschrei describes a feeling of melancholy and sadness about one’s own inadequacies and those of the world. Originally, world pain also meant the joy of suffering – in literature or music. Today, the Duden defines world pain as a basic mental mood that is characterized by sadness and pain. A “suffering from the world and its inadequacy with regard to one’s own desires.” In short: We have an idea of the world as we would like it to be, but it fails in reality.
World Pain: Gap between desire and reality
Most people certainly want a peaceful, beautiful, just and healthy world. But when we turn on the radio or read the newspaper, we often hear reports about wars, environmental disasters or acts of violence. Looking at reality sobers us – the world as it is does not correspond to our values and desires. This triggers a feeling that turns our stomach, crushes our heart or clenches our jaw, describes therapist Michele DeMarco in “Psychology Today”. This disillusionment leads to a loss of belief in security or the meaning of the world.
How we react to negative news about disasters and wars illustrates the phenomenon of world-weariness. When we see images and videos of war, the whole organism reacts, she explained Psychotherapist Franca Cerutti in star. This means that news about wars and threats poses a danger to us, even if we are not there and are not exposed to any real danger. The body activates the fight-flight mode and makes us ready for action. By sharpening our senses, we can perceive negative news more clearly. World sorrow also arises because we sympathize with the people in war zones – their suffering does not leave us unscathed.
Whether on the radio, television, the ad on the subway, the push notification on the cell phone or the images of war on social media – we are often confronted with bad news. Consuming a lot of bad news over and over again can lead to permanently elevated levels of stress. And chronic stress damages the mind and body. World-weariness and the resulting stress can cause us to become hopeless, lost in thought, and feeling burnt out. Even feelings of despair can arise.
Difference from depression
But world pain is not a mental illness, even if a low mood and lack of motivation are among the symptoms of depression. Anyone who sinks into world-weariness for weeks and, in addition to the negative feelings, notices that they are losing interest in things, can no longer get out of bed and are also losing joy in activities that used to be fun, should listen up, says psychotherapist Marlene Huemer in an interview with the “Standard”. Anyone who notices such symptoms should seek professional help.
Mental health
Psychohygiene: These ten habits are balm for the soul
Self-care and certain behaviors can help you avoid sinking into world-weariness:
- Don’t expect perfection
Anyone who has very high expectations and wishes for themselves, those around them and the world will probably be disappointed very often. This can be bitter in the long run. It’s better to always strive for the best while knowing that it’s unattainable, writes therapist Michele DeMarco in “Psychology Today.” The world is not perfect, others are not, neither are we, and it is important to accept that. And to recognize that we cannot influence all injustices, wars and crises. - It’s okay to be sad
It’s not pleasant to feel sad, hopeless and powerless. But it’s important to remember that it’s okay to feel this way. Sometimes it’s just right and good to feel sad. - To become active
We can’t solve all the world’s problems. But it can help our psyche if we take action and do something to make the world a better place. This can mean something different for everyone. It could mean eating vegan for environmental reasons, volunteering for an environmental or human rights organization, helping at a soup kitchen, volunteering in the neighborhood, or walking dogs at the animal shelter. - Treat yourself to time out
Given the images of war from Ukraine, the Middle East, or other parts of the world, we can feel bad about taking a break. Some people may question whether it is okay to meet up with friends and laugh, while others may fear for their lives in war zones. But: It is very important to think about your own self-care. So: Do what stabilizes your own psyche and is good for you. - Consume news wisely
Too much negative news bombarding us can be very stressful. It is therefore advisable to set up fixed media times and then consciously consume news. It can be helpful to turn off push notifications on your cell phone – this way you have control over when you consume news. - Wallow in the past
Looking back can comfort us. Michele DeMarco suggests looking at old family photo albums, a childhood movie, or your favorite show from back in the day to make yourself smile. Nostalgia can bring comfort. Read here how it can help with pain.
Sources: Psychology Today,Duden, default, University of Frankfurt, Historical Dictionary of Philosophy, Lexicon for psychology and pedagogy, German dictionary