The Israel-Hamas conflict has resulted in devastating physical consequences for both the Israelis and Gazans. Many have been rendered homeless, while others have suffered physical injuries and disabilities.
But there’s one other aspect of life that’s been dealt a crushing blow, and that is the citizens’ emotional well-being. Even though the victims might be able to rebuild their lives from scratch, the memories of the attacks linger in their minds indefinitely. Often, this emotional turmoil leads to mental health problems like anxiety and depression.
Understanding the Reactions and Responses to Conflict
It’s easy to notice any physical injuries you might suffer from war. But when it comes to mental well-being, the signs of trouble aren’t always noticeable. In fact, one might not even realize that they’re depressed or anxious.
Unfortunately, not being able to identify mental health issues keeps one from seeking much-needed help. To avoid this, here are a couple of ways in which people react to conflict:
- Feelings of uncertainty: some people experience mixed feelings. They might feel anxious, sad or be more irritable than usual.
- Disturbing thoughts: in some cases, the victims experience recurring memories of the ordeal. These memories happen abruptly and often lead to physical reactions, such as increased heartbeat and perspiration.
- Heightened sensitivity to environmental factors: in other cases, the individual’s anxiety is triggered by environmental factors like sirens or burning smells.
- Strife with friends and family: victims may also find themselves getting into frequent arguments with those close to them.
It’s important to recognize such changes to your behavior, emotions and/or thoughts. If you’re a victim of the Israel-Palestinian conflict and have been experiencing any of these signs, be sure to seek mental health support.
How to Cope Emotionally After a Disaster
Now that you’re aware of your responses and reactions, what’s the best way to cope to guarantee your mental well-being? Here are a few recommendations:
Allow Yourself Ample Time to Adapt
Start by embracing the situation you are in. Give yourself sufficient time to adapt to the changes in your personal and/or professional life. Don’t shy away from grieving or mourning the losses you’ve incurred.
Adopt Healthy Habits
As difficult as it might be, it’s important that you stick to healthy lifestyle habits. Whenever possible, follow a well-balanced diet, stay active and get adequate rest. Don’t resort to drugs or alcohol. Doing so only offers a temporary fix. Ultimately, you’ll still have to face your emotions and find ways to cope.
Seek Emotional Support
An integral part of emotional recovery is getting ample support from those closest to you. Family, friends and colleagues can be of great help during such times. They will listen, empathize with your situation and help in any way they can. If you don’t have any relatives or friends left, you can reach out to others who survived the disaster.
Come Up With a Routine
If you’re at a place where you can establish a routine, be sure to do so. Set specific times for when you should sleep and wake up. Have your meals at regular times and try to follow an exercise program.
You should also schedule time for mood-boosting activities like going for a walk in your new neighborhood, reading or cooking for family. Having activities that you look forward to makes you happier and less stressed.
Don’t Make Grand Life Changes
If you’re just recovering from a disaster, this isn’t the best time to make big changes in your life unless they’re unavoidable. Making grand changes can make you more emotionally unstable and exacerbate feelings of anxiety and stress.
Conclusion
Recovering emotionally from a disaster like the Israel-Humus war can be nerve-wrecking. But, it is possible. A couple of strategies that might help include reestablishing a routine, adopting healthy habits, seeking social support and giving yourself time for adjustment.
