By Inna Hemme
Hate demos in Berlin. Attack on Israel and Ukraine, inflation, rent increases, a new wave of Covid. It’s difficult to cope with normal life in the face of the bad news. A Berlin coach explains how to gain healthy distance even without ignorance.
There is a huge concentration of catastrophic news that overwhelms us every day. Anyone who thought things could only get better after the pandemic will be downright horrified by what else has happened.
Many feel as if they are in a state of shock and can hardly cope with their everyday tasks in the face of wars and crises.
“The paralyzing feeling is a completely normal defense reaction of the body. It’s just too much at once,” says the Berlin philosopher and motivational coach Dr. Christian Weilmeier. “In the last few decades we have had a major crisis. This can be mastered well. In addition, sometimes people were affected more, sometimes less. Now there is hardly anyone in Germany who is not very worried.”
In addition to the two wars almost on the doorstep and the complex mix of emotions of powerlessness, compassion and anger, there are also internal existential fears.
The energy transition, rising rents, high inflation… Oh yes, and isn’t there another wave of Covid coming? With all of this going on, how are you supposed to think about doctor’s appointments, winter tires or shopping?
The carousel of thoughts just doesn’t stop.
STOP! There are actually some techniques and tips on how to bring some normality back into your everyday life without ignoring the news.
Escape the constant sound!
“You’re not helping the world if you check new reports every five minutes! Set yourself a fixed time window in which you watch or read the news instead of constantly scrolling through new horror reports. Such routines sort out the chaos and give you time to breathe,” says Dr. Christian Weilmeier. And: limit yourself to a selection of reputable sources. “There is also a lot of crap circulating on social media. Some influencers may mean well, but they are not experts and use one-sided, emotional excerpts for their reach.”
Maintain peace in his world
We are all feeling a sense of powerlessness right now. The expert advises: “What gives us back a feeling of control is to ensure friendly coexistence in our own little world, to actively help other people or even to donate. Hate is contagious, but so is being nice.”
Not in pointless ones Discussion loops expire
“You have to accept that other people will come to different conclusions, even among your friends. With pointless persuasion you only lose valuable energy and life time,” says Weilmeier. Of course, a dialogue is important, but if you don’t get anywhere or the conversation partner even becomes insulting: break it off and move on. “Otherwise you just go around in circles and your day is over!”
To become active
The coach advises: “Write down all the things that are currently bothering you. Then make a new list of only things that you can specifically change. Then come up with a plan to tackle it step by step. Anything that brings us back from passivity to activity helps mental health.”
Out to them fresh air
Wall in front of your head? Go for a walk! According to studies, exercise in the fresh air reduces stress and helps prevent depression. Because when we spend time outdoors, the level of the stress hormone cortisol in the blood decreases. Our thinking and attention can also be significantly improved by walking.
And we can really use all of this right now!