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How global uncertainty affects our subconscious mind, nervous system and emotional wellbeing – and what coping with uncertainty can look like in everyday life.
Have you ever felt anxious, exhausted or unsettled without really knowing why?
Perhaps you wake up feeling tired despite a reasonable night’s sleep. You find yourself worrying about the future, becoming irritated more easily, or feeling overwhelmed by things you would ordinarily manage.
When someone asks what is wrong, you may simply say:
“I don’t know. I just feel that everything is becoming too much.”
What if some of that emotional exhaustion is connected not only to your personal circumstances, but also to the world in which we are living?
We are exposed almost daily to reports of war, political instability, extreme weather, violence, rising living costs and families fleeing their homes.
Although we may not experience these events directly, they can still influence our emotional wellbeing.
Sometimes the weight we carry is greater than the weight we consciously recognise.
Human beings generally feel more secure when life is reasonably predictable.
We want to know that our families are safe, that our income will cover our needs, that our homes will remain secure and that tomorrow will bring some degree of stability.
Yet so much of modern life seems uncertain.
Consider the weather.
Climate change, together with natural climate patterns such as El Niño, can contribute to changing temperatures, droughts, floods and unpredictable rainfall in different parts of the world.
These changes affect far more than the environment.
They influence agriculture, food production, water availability, livelihoods and the cost of living.
A farmer may worry about the next harvest. A family may worry about food prices. A business owner may worry about rising operational costs.
Even those who are not directly affected by extreme weather may find themselves wondering what the future holds.
When uncertainty becomes persistent, our minds can begin anticipating difficulties before they occur.
International conflicts are no longer distant events that we hear about occasionally.
Through television, smartphones and social media, we are exposed to images of destruction, suffering, displacement and loss almost immediately.
We see frightened children, grieving parents and communities devastated by violence.
Our conscious minds may recognise that these events are happening thousands of kilometres away.
But our emotional responses are not necessarily limited by geography.
We may experience sadness, fear, anger, helplessness or concern about what could happen next.
There are also practical consequences.
International conflict can disrupt oil supplies, trade routes and global markets. Changes in international fuel prices can influence petrol and transport costs here in South Africa.
Higher transport costs can contribute to increases in the prices of food, services and everyday necessities.
Suddenly, events taking place far from our homes are affecting our monthly budgets.
For families already under financial pressure, these additional expenses can create ongoing anxiety.
Will we manage next month?
What happens if another unexpected expense arises?
How much more can we absorb?
These questions may continue occupying our minds long after we have stopped consciously thinking about the original news report.
One of the most disturbing aspects of our modern world is the continued prevalence of violence within homes, relationships and communities.
Domestic abuse, gender-based violence, femicide and gang-related violence affect not only those directly involved, but also families, neighbours and entire communities.
Home should ideally be a place of safety.
When we repeatedly hear about violence occurring within families or intimate relationships, it can challenge our expectations about trust, protection and security.
For people who have experienced abuse, these reports may evoke painful memories or heightened vulnerability.
Others may become increasingly concerned about the safety of their children, partners or communities.
The impact is particularly significant in places where violence is an everyday reality.
It is important not to assume that violence is increasing everywhere. International evidence from the World Health Organization demonstrates that violence against women remains widespread, while trends vary between countries and over time.
Whatever the statistical direction, the human cost is profound.
Across the world, millions of people have been forced to leave their homes because of war, persecution, armed conflict and threats to their safety.
Behind the statistics are ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances.
Parents trying to protect their children.
Families leaving behind homes, possessions and livelihoods.
Young people whose education and futures have been disrupted.
Older people separated from communities they have known all their lives.
Some seek asylum in other countries, hoping to find protection. Others remain displaced within their own borders.
Environmental disasters and economic hardship can also contribute to migration and displacement, although they do not automatically establish eligibility for asylum.
Witnessing these human experiences through the media can stir compassion, sadness, helplessness and uncertainty.
And for those who have family members living in affected regions, the emotional burden may be particularly intense.
This is where understanding the relationship between the brain, nervous system and emotional wellbeing becomes particularly valuable.
Our brains continuously process information, much of it outside conscious awareness.
We do not have to deliberately think about every possible threat for our bodies to respond to stressful information.
When we repeatedly encounter uncertainty, distressing images or perceived threats, our stress-response systems may become more easily activated.
The sympathetic nervous system plays a role in preparing us to respond to danger.
Heart rate may increase. Muscles may become tense. Breathing patterns can change. Attention may become focused on possible threats.
These responses are important for survival.
However, when stress becomes persistent, some people find it increasingly difficult to relax, recover and feel settled.
This may contribute to a state of heightened alertness, sometimes called hypervigilance.
You might not be consciously thinking about a particular conflict, violent incident or financial concern.
Yet the accumulated emotional impact of what you have encountered may still influence how you feel and respond.
This is what I mean when I refer to subconscious stress.
It is not a separate medical diagnosis. Rather, it is a useful way of describing stress-related processes that may occur without our full conscious attention.
Imagine carrying a backpack.
Each concern adds another small stone.
Individually, each stone may feel manageable.
But eventually the backpack becomes heavy.
And sometimes we become so accustomed to carrying it that we forget what it feels like to put it down.
In psychology, the concept of allostatic load helps describe the physiological burden associated with repeated or prolonged stress.
Not everyone responds in the same way. Our experiences, support systems, health, coping resources and circumstances all influence our reactions.
Nevertheless, chronic stress can affect emotional and physical wellbeing. If you recognise this pattern, you may also find Dealing with Emotional Stress helpful.
You may notice:
These experiences can have many causes and should not automatically be attributed to stress.
However, they may indicate that your emotional resources need attention. And if worry has become a constant companion, remember that anxiety is not a sign that you are powerless.
We cannot control everything happening in the world.
But we can develop healthier ways of responding to uncertainty.
Notice how you feel after watching the news or scrolling through social media.
Being informed is important. Continuous exposure to distressing information is not always helpful.
Consider limiting news consumption to specific times and choosing reliable sources.
When your thoughts become preoccupied with what might happen, gently reconnect with what is happening now.
Feel your feet on the ground.
Notice the support of your chair.
Listen to the sounds around you.
Allow your breathing to settle naturally.
These simple practices may help reduce immediate feelings of overwhelm.
Ask yourself:
Can I take meaningful action about this situation?
If the answer is yes, identify one practical step.
If the answer is no, practise acknowledging your concern without continually searching for a solution that is not yours to provide.
Spend time in nature.
Connect with people who help you feel supported.
Protect your sleep.
Move your body in ways that feel comfortable.
Allow yourself moments of laughter, pleasure and quiet.
Rest is not a denial of reality.
If anxiety, emotional exhaustion or sleep difficulties are affecting your daily life, consider speaking with an appropriately qualified healthcare or mental-health professional.
You do not need to wait until you reach breaking point.
If you are in crisis or feel unsafe, please reach out today. In South Africa you can call the SADAG Suicide Crisis Helpline on 0800 567 567, the Cipla Mental Health Helpline on 0800 456 789 (SMS 31393), or the GBV Command Centre on 0800 428 428. All are free and open 24 hours a day. In an emergency, call 10111 or 112 from a mobile phone.
In my practice, I work with people experiencing anxiety, stress, burnout, emotional overwhelm and patterns of thinking or behaviour that may no longer be serving them.
Sometimes clients can identify exactly what is troubling them.
At other times, their difficulties reflect several pressures that have gradually accumulated.
My approach combines clinical hypnotherapy and applied psychotherapy, incorporating appropriate elements of somatic awareness, relaxation, emotional regulation and neuroplasticity-informed learning.
Therapeutic work may help people recognise their stress responses, explore learned patterns and practise healthier ways of responding to challenges.
Hypnotherapy is not about removing reality or pretending that difficulties do not exist.
It is about creating opportunities for greater awareness, emotional flexibility and constructive change.
Treatment should always be tailored to the individual, and hypnotherapy is not a substitute for medical care or specialist treatment where these are needed.
Perhaps one of the greatest challenges of modern life is learning how to remain compassionate without becoming overwhelmed by everything happening around us.
We cannot prevent every war.
We cannot control the weather.
We cannot personally protect everyone who is vulnerable.
And we cannot predict every challenge the future may bring.
But we can become more aware of the weight we are carrying.
We can recognise when our bodies and minds need rest.
We can create moments of calm amid uncertainty.
We can remain connected to the people, places and experiences that bring meaning to our lives.
And we can seek support when the burden becomes too heavy.
You are allowed to care deeply about the world without carrying all its suffering within you.
You are allowed to experience peace, even when the world around you feels uncertain.
And sometimes, the first step towards change is simply recognising how much you have been holding.
If you would like support with coping with uncertainty, stress or anxiety, sessions are available in Howick or online. Get in touch to find out more.
Heather Fountain
Clinical Hypnotherapist & Applied Psychotherapist
2026 © Heather Fountain | All rights reserved.