5 things that led to this The attack on Ukraine could be hard for you, too. Find out how to deal with it. There may be heartache for people in Ukraine who have been hurt by the violence, uncertainty about what will happen next, a sense of helplessness as the events unfold, and even trauma from seeing terrible pictures of the area come out, psychologists say.
Rice said: “You won’t do yourself or anyone else any good if you’re too consumed with things.”
Emotional reserves are low.
After the Covid-19 pandemic, this war is right around the corner.
It didn’t matter what happened to their lives, their jobs, or their health, Carmichael said. People had to learn how to deal with stress in a lot of different ways in the last two years. When that happens, your body rises to the occasion. It increases adrenaline, cuts back on sleep, and boosts energy so that you can deal with the stressor that is coming your way, but it only lasts for a short time.
However, that can’t last too long, or else your mind and body will run out of power, she said. Emotional reserves are low for a lot of people, which makes it hard for them to deal with more stress.
What should I do?
Lee Chambers, a psychologist who lives in the UK, says that the good thing about the timing is that we already know what to do. The same tools that helped you get through two years of a pandemic could help you when you see people in trouble.
Take a look at what worked for you during the pandemic to relieve stress and help you think about your feelings, Carmichael said. Try using these strategies now.
Uncertainty
Some of the problems may come from the shock of the attack, which makes people wonder what’s going to happen next.
Many people thought that the tensions would rise and fall, like they have done before, and that talks between countries would lead to some kind of agreement, Chambers said.
“To deal with this kind of information, there is an expected response where people think, “I don’t know what the future holds,”” Chambers said.
What should I do?
The way you deal with the weird thing can depend entirely on what works for you. Some people might not want to deal with the issue, but others might be comforted by reading as much as they can and getting a three-dimensional picture of the situation, he said.
Understanding the world’s events can help you deal with uncertainty, but if you’re glued to every new update and can’t focus on other things, you might need to set limits on how often and how long you read about the fight, Carmichael said.
Helplessness
As much as people may want to stop the violence, there may be little that people outside of Ukraine can do to change what happens next.
Chambers said that feeling powerless could make the tragedies we’re seeing more difficult to deal with because we don’t know how to stop them.
What should I do?
That doesn’t mean, however, that we won’t do anything.
“Nervousness is usually good for us,” Carmichael said. “It makes us want to move in some way.” “What might be interesting for you to do?”
That would mean writing to politicians, giving money or supplies to groups that help people in the Ukraine, or getting involved in local politics to help people who you think could make a difference, Carmichael said.
Empathy
Rice said that if you’re having a hard time, chances are that a lot of these are coming from a place of empathy.
Caring for other people is a great feeling, but it can also be stressful, and years of seeing a global pandemic can leave people with compassion fatigue, she said.
What should I do?
Carmichael said it’s OK to take a break from the subject from time to time. Watch or listen to something fun instead of focusing on the bad things. You could read a good book, or do something you enjoy.
So, not only should you listen in on people’s stories, but you also need to recharge your own battery, she said.
Experiences from the past
For a lot of people, the thought of their city being taken over isn’t just an empathetic thought. It’s real.
“People who have been victims of terrorist attacks, refugees from war in other places, I think it’s going to hit a lot of different groups in a different way.”
People who have a lot of history, heritage, or family in Ukraine might have a hard time knowing that their home is under attack.
What should I do?
He told you to pay attention to your “triggers.” Study what makes you feel the worst and try to limit these or be gentle with yourself when you do experience them, she said.
Rice said that connecting with other people in your group and talking about what you’re going through is very important. It’s now more important than ever for people who have been affected by the war to help each other.
Chambers: There are a lot of reasons why your fighting in a foreign country might be affecting you in the US. Instead of lowering these, it is important to focus on and deal with them.
Rice: Pay attention to the physical signs that the events are affecting you, like changes in hunger, stomach problems, sleeplessness, muscle tension, and irritability.
Do not be afraid to use things like journaling, going outside, talking to people you trust, and pursuing your interests, psychologists said, as well as other things.
After you start to deal with your own feelings, you can start to help others, they said.
