You do not need to go far to become aware we are in a cost-of-living crisis, our own experiences tell us this, never mind the constant bombardment on the news about it is bad and could get even worse. Add to that most of us are feeling drained after all the COVID19 pandemic caused and add to that the concern about climate change and it is understandable we may not be feeling very jolly and anyone offering something positive may even make you feel angry as you think "don't you get it''

Yet, we only have so much energy and when we feel challenged, we need that energy to deal with or adapt to the challenges. Focusing on its bad and it is only going to get worse does not help. It leaves us feeling even more exhausted, even to a point where we wonder where the issue is. If you ever feel so despairing you think of suicide, please speak to someone, remember the Samaritans are there 24/7 365. Tel 116 123.

It matters that we find ways and reasons to hold on. We are more resilient, enduring, and adaptable than we often give ourselves credit for. Switching our focus to looking for solutions when it may feel there are none to be found, can be a challenge. However, finding ways to be in the moment, to let these overwhelming feelings which hold us back wash over us, can help us harness our energy to deal with what is before us, to help us get through this.

No one is saying it is going to be easy and we do need to recognise for some people it may be even more challenging. However, constantly reminding people of how much they are challenged drains energy faster than collaborating with each other to offer solutions or the hope that things can get better.

One website does not have all the answers to the world's problems, we just want to help try and be part of the solution or at least offer something where the challenges hurt less. We know the challenges are significant, however, we also know for our mental health and well-being it matters we find ways not to give into despair, to find ways to be kind to each other and find ways to help each other survive until we can move back to thriving.

We are grateful to Capacitar for their permission to take one of their exercises and make it into a poster. We would highly recommend visiting the Capacitar website to find out more about the work they do and access the resources they kindly share.

We have two versions of the poster, one in colour and one in black and cream which you can download from the website. We also have some printed copies to share. Explore how the fingerholds may be helpful for you and those you care about. The instructions are on the posters.

Finding ways to manage the difficult emotions accompanying the strange times we live in can help recharge and preserve our energy so we can find ways to hold on, knowing that we are not alone and that people do care. This is not just about us, it is about all of us, across the world including the planet itself. We can prevail by looking for hope and inspiring each other to keep going. We can all play a part in helping be the change the world desperately needs to see. Sometimes one act of kindness at a time. We hope the fingerhold exercises offer you something of value to manage the emotions which are only natural to have currently.