How to support yourself when stress has become a part of everyday life

Anxiety, uncertainty, and exhaustion became part of everyday life. The war changed habits, plans, and feelings of security. It brought loss, constant stress, anxiety for loved ones, power outages, and a host of other challenges.

Despite this, life has not stopped. People study, work, and support each other. That is why taking care of your own psychological state is a necessity.

Start by taking care of your body.

Mental health is impossible without physical health. That's why it's important not to neglect the body's basic needs.

Good sleep, regular nutrition, physical activity, sufficient rest, and timely medical examinations help the body cope better with stress. When the body is exhausted, it is much more difficult for the psyche to adapt to difficult circumstances.

Information space

Today, you are bombarded with news, messages, and disturbing content. Constant information consumption does not make you more prepared for events, but can instead increase exhaustion, insomnia, and feelings of helplessness.

That is why checking the information space is a critical skill for protecting against disinformation, especially in today's environment

Importantly:

• determine a specific time for watching the news;
• use trusted sources;
• Avoid viewing photos and videos with violence or cruelty.

Our environment also affects our psychological health.

Some conversations leave you feeling supported, empowered, and able to see a way out of a difficult situation. Others, on the contrary, are draining, increase anxiety, or leave you feeling guilty.

If possible, it is worth limiting communication with people who make you feel worse, and spending more time with those who support, listen, and help you recover.

Allow yourself rest and joy.

During war, many people feel guilty about resting or having positive emotions. However, they are the ones that help the psyche recover.

Creativity, music, dancing, games, humor, or a favorite hobby are not a manifestation of indifference to the events around you. They are a way to support internal resources and maintain the ability to move forward.

Even a few minutes of singing, drawing, watching a movie, or talking to a loved one can help the body reduce stress levels.

Self-care is a resource 

By taking care of yourself today, you maintain your own health, preserve your strength, and create the inner support that helps you keep going – despite all the difficulties.

If you have been a victim of domestic violence or gender discrimination, please contact the National Hotline for Prevention of Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking and Gender Discrimination for advice and assistance:

📱116 123

☎ 0 800 500 335

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This article was made possible by the support of the Norwegian people through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway (MFA of Norway) within the framework of the project “Building a Gender-Inclusive Recovery with the Women’s Movement of Ukraine” (GEN-Recovery). Responsibility for the content of the information lies with the NGO “La Strada-Ukraine”. The information presented in this article does not necessarily reflect the views of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway or the Government of Norway.