Coping with war anxiety

"It's so easy to get overwhelmed with the news and the suffering of those around the world, especially right now in Ukraine. Try and cut down on social media and the news. It's natural and human to worry and get anxious about unsettling events, especially war. Work out what you can do to help others in any way you can, either in this country or other countries. Be grateful for what you have and spend time each day in mindfulness activities, such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, giving thanks for each day and the loved ones around us. Pay careful attention to your feelings and emotions and when it's all too much take some time to relax and take care of yourself. Reach out and talk to someone about what you are thinking or feeling. You are not alone."

"Anxiety is unresolved fear" states David Berceli, PhD, the creator of TRE (Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises). By practising a somatic modality you can pro-actively support your health and well-being, deeply relax muscular tension, activate a rest and digest response and therefore calm the nervous system - rather than letting worrying thoughts in your head dominate how you feel. We don't have control about certain situations, but we can look after ourselves, how we react and build resilience.

I think doing something to help is one of the best cures for the anxiety - whether it is donating, protesting, helping send items, or housing a refugee. The anxiety is because we cannot control events and the horrific things we are seeing 24/7 - so taking action helps us feel a little bit more in control, in that we are actively doing something to change the situation.