To the reaction/response distinction, if we don't know what to do to feel better or what is the more 'real', empowering perspective, we can take few things in consideration if we want.
It's helpful to
relax more when there are obvious negative influences, because on the one hand it will help us and our environment to be not as negatively influenced, as also we keep ourselves open to our own stream of consciousness for 'higher vibrating' solutions.
To
become aware of the space between stimulus and response and the very own interpretations that fill that space. Things have no built-in or consensus meaning, which is wonderful, because we can give it the meaning we want, we are creating our own stories by that, you might look for something that aligns with your heart path. On the downside we can get easily conditioned if we don't become aware that it is our own choice to this changeable interpretation. Sometimes the urge to do things right or want to be right about something can bring some conflict in here, because these mostly come from a more shallow source - means you give it it the meaning you think you are supposed to give it not you really want to give it. You really have the choice of what you experience in your life.
Reality usually doesn't change
instantly, but by definition we
already have changed when we respond differently to our environment.
Also don't be discouraged if things don't instanly change, often we get just the echo back of what we put out in the past, the echo of the new thing we are putting out just didn't override it yet.
In general you don't have to know much about these things or have a great interest in how things work, but changing your response is a powerful and realistic thing to change your life to the better, you put many things to work by it, because by the nature of things Interpretation is a step that comes before most of the other things we do (emotional reactions, thinking, taking actions) and its graspable/practicable.
Enjoy and love yourself more, this will make many things also on the outside easier.
Best of luck with all that's ahead or waiting!
~sb