During the war, every person's body experiences constant anxiety and stress. This negatively affects the health of the whole body, including mental health.
In a publication for the public organization Veretan Hub, psychologist Maria tells how you can support yourself in this difficult period.
Learn how to support yourself during war / Photo by Giulia Bertelli on Unsplash
Why is it important to remember yourself?
Now many Ukrainians live in constant expectation that the war will end and everything will return to the way it was before. However, you have to honestly tell yourself – no one knows how long the war will last.
And this factor should give an understanding that you need to take care of yourself and not give up. You can't let yourself be broken, on the contrary, you need to regularly restore your strength in order to be effective, work, support your loved ones, the army, volunteers, etc.
How to understand that it is time to stop
If you have no desire to live, you wake up already tired, and also feel constant anxiety, irritation, lack of appetite and memory problems. All of these symptoms indicate that you are exhausted and in need of recovery*.
*Important: in case of health problems, you must consult a doctor.
Physical practices help to overcome stress / Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
What can be done
Add sports, walks – any physical activity to your daily routine. They help overcome stress, give pleasure, and also contribute to the release of hormones that improve mood.
Eat and sleep according to the schedule – this discipline helps to restore the body.
Apply physical practices: breathing, movement, etc.
To distract yourself from constant obsessive thoughts, you can play games that require attention and concentration: table games, on the phone, etc. You can also collect puzzles or create something with your hands.
Try keeping a diary or writing letters to loved ones – it is easier to structure your feelings and emotions in writing.
If you feel that you cannot cope on your own – do not be afraid and do not hesitate to contact medical specialists.