Scary, anxious, nervous: how to protect yourself during the information war

0 < p>During political tensions, a person feels alone and powerless, unable to influence anything. She is overcome with anxiety. How to deal with such a condition?

If you feel anxiety and fear, you are not alone.

The events unfolding in Ukraine cause anxiety in people all over the world. Unfortunately, this is a reminder of how many circumstances and situations affecting society are beyond our control.

How to deal with the stress caused by Russia's war against Ukraine

Although it is still unclear how these global events may directly affect our lives, the stress of rumors about the unfolding crisis can manifest itself in our daily activities, thoughts and behavior.

You can't help but worry. No amount of breathing exercises, manifesting, or positive thinking will change the course of things. But we can change how we respond to circumstances that are completely outside of our control.

“The good news is that we can control how we react to others and ourselves after bad news,” says Sandra de Monte, founder of MindBerry. “During these difficult times, it's important to assess how you're feeling, talk to loved ones, and take steps to make your emotional well-being a priority.”

You can try the simple things below techniques to help you deal with this type of anxiety:

A conversation with yourself. Remember that your feelings are normal. Remember that worrying thoughts about a topic fuel your anxiety.

Develop mechanisms to cope with anxiety. You can connect with friends and family to share your problems and relieve some stress. Try a concentration exercise that you can do anywhere, anytime — just sit down for a few minutes.

Breathe in and out and focus on your breath, each inhale and each exhale. Then choose a color and look around to spot objects of that color. This will calm you down and distract you from anxiety.

Be mindful of the amount of media in your life. You may want to reduce the amount of time you spend on news and social media, especially before bed. It will also not be superfluous to filter the sources of information.

How to deal with anxiety when you have no control over events

Ultimately, it is important to remember that people react to current events in different Remember that whatever you're feeling is probably a normal and reasonable reaction.

That being said, if you're worried about your mental health, feel overwhelmed by fear, be sure to talk to someone about it. A friend or family member is a good place to start, but you can always talk to professionals, such as your doctor, or consult psychologists or psychotherapists.