The world’s largest country attacked its neighbor. That is all the main news around the world. Covid moved from headlines and front pages to a regular column, suddenly a deadly virus is not seen as deadly as a few weeks ago. But both these topics attack our nerves. And whoever was immune to all those dark COVID forecasts is not immune to news about nuclear weapons being activated by one of the world’s super power.

In the first article, I mentioned how we can affect our stress levels by nutrition and exercise. But you may feel that you really cannot think about that now. It’s the mind that is the problem. So let’s do something about that.

The News

Limiting news is an advice I learned from Dr. Andrew Weil in the 90’s. Now I am not saying to put your head in the sand (although it would definitely help :D). Every news channel broadcasts / writes about the war 24/7. We are too exposed to the war. So although we are not at war ourselves, it almost feels like it!

News channels compete for its readers. Bear in mind that all media write about the same topic and they are not likely to share different content. So how do they grab your attention? By a sensational headline! That is what makes you click. That is what makes you to stay on their page. That is what makes you buy that newspaper rather than others.

So my recommendation?
Read the news once or twice a day for max. 10 minutes. Make sure to read the news, not just the headline, which may look more serious than the actual news. That way you will know the situation, but you will limit your exposure. Anyone can live without receiving news 24/7.

Release negative thoughts

Schedule

This is time when routine and calendar are the key to success. My graphic designer, 29 years old with 2 adorable girls, told me she could not concentrate on any work because she kept worrying about the war. I went with her over my recommendations on Instagram and told her she actually has to put all those things into her calendar. I know she puts all her tasks there so now she needed to include also the work activities, exercise, walking, and smile-creating activities.

Two days later I called her and she told me that the day after we talked she took notes from my Instagram and created a schedule. And the second day passed and she noticed being more calm with her girls and finally getting back on track. The exact schedule is the key!

Psychiatric patients are often told to maintain routines. And the high stress levels put us in their shoes a little. Creating a healthy routine is what helps us all. That is what will help us refocus our attention and relieve the high stress levels.

Do I not care or what?

There will be people who could blame you that you don’t care enough. No, it’s not true:
When you are onboard an aircraft, you are told to first put on your own oxygen mask and only then help your child. And this is exactly the same situation.

Remember, you will either be able to provide help to others by maintaining your healthy living, where you also have a job and income. Then you are fit to help support refugees or non-profit organization organizing help. Or at least you are fit enough to take care of your close ones – that is help too! The second option is that you will be swallowed up by stress, which can make you sick, harm your relationships and even affect your job. Then you will be dependent on the healthcare/social system and you will be needing help of others – either you family or the government.

We can be help providers or help receivers. Some of us cannot choose – children, sick people, or the refugees from Ukraine. Make a qualified choice for yourself.

Do you need help with your specific situation? Write me to book an appointment.