After the aggression on Gaza.. How do we avoid psychological burnout during crises and wars?

Weather of Arabia - With the escalation of recent events in Palestine, many of us feel anxiety, nervous stress, and fear, and this is due to constant exposure to traumatic content that includes painful images, screaming sounds, and bloody events. Although we are not actually at the center of the events, the effect Both psychologically and physically, these experiences can be painful.

Continuous exposure to traumatic content provokes psychological and physical responses similar to those provoked by exposure to actual danger. This exposure stimulates the body’s autonomic nervous system to prepare for defense and confront the danger, which can cause negative effects on mental and physical health. It is noted that this psychological preparation can cause The appearance of effects such as physical pain, difficulties in sleeping, inability to interact normally socially, high levels of nervousness, and problems with digestion, in addition to difficulty in performing daily tasks.

The effect of visual content on our bodies

Our bodies react to visual content, regardless of whether it is fictional, as in movies and series, or realistic, as in news and current events. When exposed to danger or even just seeing it, our nervous systems activate and use one of the three traditional reactions: attack, flight, or freeze.

With frequent exposure to shocking and horrific scenes on social media platforms, constant psychological preparation for reactions can disrupt these normal patterns of interaction, and this may cause negative effects on physical and psychological health. In general, continuous exposure to traumatic content can cause physical pain and difficulties. Sleep problems, poor ability to communicate socially, an increase in the level of nervousness, in addition to digestive problems and difficulty performing daily tasks.

Trauma in relief and journalism

Individuals working in relief and emergency services, and journalists working in conflict zones, often experience secondary trauma as a result of their extensive dealings with traumatic events and repeated experiences of loss.

With the availability of social media, news has become easy to access and spread quickly, and comes in continuous succession. Despite the benefits of increasing public awareness of important issues, the spread of news on these platforms can have a double effect, accompanied by watching news that leads to shock continuously and without stopping. Which can deprive a person of the opportunity to process the effects of these experiences on the body and mind levels, and to interact with the psychological reactions resulting from his exposure to scenes of danger.

How do we avoid psychological burnout?

Psychological burnout can be avoided by adopting several practices that can help us deal with shocks and difficult events effectively. When we find ourselves exposed to shock, or events are succeeding at a rapid pace, and exceed our ability to endure, we can follow the news in a different way through these actions, and These practices:

• Follow the news in stages
• Avoid following the news alone
• Avoid getting into arguments and heated discussions
• Exploiting the diversity of support
• Avoid watching violent scenes to preserve your mental health and prevent anxiety, stress, and depression.
• Support the cause in multiple ways instead of focusing on only following events where you can make people aware of the issue or talk to your friends to spread awareness.
• Don't neglect taking care of your body. Maintain adequate sleep and healthy nutrition to support your physical health.
• Seek psychological support from relatives and friends if you feel a negative impact on your psychological state due to following the events. This will help you continue to support the cause without suffering psychological burnout.
• Avoid feeling inadequate and not exceeding your capabilities, acknowledge your potential and energy, and do not impose on yourself what you cannot bear.
• Express your feelings honestly and safely with people close to you.

Also know:

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What is nerve gas?

Sources:

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