Watching the war between Russia and Ukraine unfold, people around the world are experiencing all sorts of emotions ranging from numbness, helplessness, guilt and fear to hostility, anger and rage. All these extreme emotions right now are a normal reaction to the unprecedented circumstances. Sometimes anxiety becomes so strong that it interferes with our daily life.
Please remember that there are no right or wrong ways to deal with a crisis. Try different things and listen to yourself – do more of those things that help you and less of those that are not. Trust your body and take care of it. Everyone reacts to stress differently. Sleep if you want to sleep. Eat if you want to eat. Run 5 miles every day if your body is asking for it.
All psychologists are now talking about the importance of grounding and basic processes like eating, exercising, and sleeping. It’s not because we’re boring and don’t know better, it is because we know exactly how the stress cycle works. Even if these recommendations infuriate you and seem unrelatable, please listen. When the level of stress hormones subsides (and this will inevitably happen in a couple of weeks or so) your body will thank you for everything that you have done for it.
Right now, while you are reading this blog , inhale,exhale and breathe deeply and evenly for a while. Most of us have too many thoughts and feelings at the same time. We are being drawn into a whirlpool of emotion. Keep breathing while you are reading this.
Human brains are wired for certainty and routine, making uncertainty very difficult to bear. Many people are trying to closely monitor the news to stay informed and reduce anxiety related to the unknown. Unfortunately, most news these days will not bring certainty or relief, in most people it will only increase anxiety. If you are feeling overwhelmed from reading the news, social media or talking to people, try the following:
The desire to do something urgently is a normal reaction to painful uncertainty and fear.
To understand whether it would be better to resist or follow this desire, try to assess – as objectively as possible – whether your activity is making sense. Is it helping you cope or rather distracting you from what is important? Or maybe it is just exhausting you and taking away your strength?
Write a letter to your future self. Consider including the following:
Some people might feel guilty for going on with their normal lives while other people are struggling so badly.
Think of what you can do for those in need (for example, donate to a charity helping refugees or check on someone who might be affected) and continue with your life. All of us have people we care about or people who depend on us and they still need our support. Please keep cultivating your own garden – it gives hope to all the rest.
©Thrive Therapeutic Software Ltd Thrive is a trading name of Thrive Therapeutic Software Limited, a company registered in England no. 07928073 whose registered office is at 15 Warwick Road, Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6YW
Thrive Therapeutic Software Ltd
15 Warwick Road
Stratford-Upon-Avon
Warwickshire
CV37 6YW
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