When the World Feels Heavy: Yoga, Self-Care, and Compassion in Uncertain Times

mindfulmotionsdall
Jul 14
2 min read

By: Kristin Cambron Steele @mindfulmotionsyoga

It’s hard to know what’s real anymore.

With AI-generated images flooding our feeds, deepfakes blurring the line between truth and fabrication, and a constant stream of breaking news, many of us feel emotionally saturated before we’ve even finished our morning coffee. Add to that the devastating real-life heartbreaks—families torn apart by ICE deportations, communities in the Hill Country drowning in the aftermath of unprecedented flooding—and it’s no wonder our nervous systems are overwhelmed.

So how do we practice self-care when the world feels like it's unraveling?

The Weight of Empathy

One of the most beautiful and challenging parts of being human is our capacity for empathy. We care deeply. We want to help. And sometimes, that care can feel like a crushing weight. The helplessness we feel watching people lose everything, the confusion of not knowing what news is trustworthy, the guilt of going to yoga class when others are losing their homes—it’s a lot.

This is where yoga becomes more than a pose.

Yoga as a Compass

Yoga isn’t an escape from the world; it’s a way to meet it with presence, steadiness, and heart. When the world outside feels chaotic, the mat can be a place of return, a compass pointing us inward, not to disconnect, but to root ourselves in truth.

Truth, or satya, is one of the guiding principles of yoga. In a world full of manipulated images and algorithm-driven realities, satya asks us to turn inward. What feels true in the body? What feels grounded in the breath? What arises when we sit in silence?

These questions don’t offer easy answers—but they are honest ones.

The Myth That Self-Care Is Selfish

Right now, it might feel wrong to take care of yourself when others are in crisis. But the truth is, we can’t offer real care to others if we’re constantly in survival mode ourselves.

Self-care isn’t just bubble baths and quiet time (though those can be helpful!). Self-care is nervous system care. It’s giving yourself space to grieve, to breathe, to cry, to soften. It’s anchoring in practices that bring you back to the present moment, so that when others need you, you have something real to give.

In yoga, we call this seva—selfless service. But seva without sadhana (personal practice) burns us out. The candle can't stay lit if the wick isn’t protected.

What You Can Do Right Now

Limit media intake. Choose one or two trusted sources. Turn off the doomscroll.
Breathe. A few minutes of conscious breath can regulate your system more than hours of passive scrolling.
Move. Even gentle stretching reminds your body that you are here and you are safe.
Donate or volunteer. Small acts matter. Pick one way to support flood victims, immigrants, or your community. Do what you can.
Stay curious. Ask “Is this true?” when consuming content. Fact-check. Stay grounded.
Rest. You don’t need to earn rest. You need rest to stay human.

We're In This Together

At Mindful Motions, we hold space for both your heartbreak and your hope. We don’t pretend yoga will fix the world—but we do believe it gives us the tools to face it with resilience and love.

Come as you are. Bring your fear, your overwhelm, your fatigue. You don’t have to carry it alone.

We’re here—on the mat, in the breath, in community.

In solidarity,

Kristin