A constant stream of news can be exhausting, cause anxiety, and affect your mental state. Therefore, it is very important to give yourself a break from information, especially during crisis events, writes WomanEL. Psychologist Natalia Kholodenko told in an interview for the online publication “GORDON” how to maintain your psyche during war.
Content Why it's important to take information breaksWhy you shouldn't be nervous in advanceHow to implement an information detox into your life 
How to maintain your mental health during war: advice from Natalia Kholodenko. Photo: facebook.com
Why it's important to take informational breaks
According to Natalia, many people who are constantly immersed in the information space feel exhausted. The psyche does not have time to process the huge flow of emotional reactions that arise in response to the news. This can lead to a feeling of powerlessness, aggression, or even emotional burnout.
I see from clients, definitely, when people distance themselves from the news for a while, they feel better. Just take a break. When something happens, there were negotiations: everything inside me was cramped, there were a lot of emotions, first there was one thought, then another, I wanted to blame everyone, then everything was wrong, – noted Kholodenko.
Why you shouldn't be nervous in advance
In addition to information detox, the psychologist recommends not wasting emotional resources on something that hasn't happened yet. She adheres to the rule of only getting nervous when the event has already happened, and not predicting the worst-case scenarios in advance.
Let's say I'm afraid of something in advance. And so I waste my nerve cells, and then, if it happens, I get nervous again. And so I've served time twice for the same thing. So I decided for myself that I'll only get nervous when it's already happened, – she explained.
How to implement an information detox into your life
To maintain psychological balance, it is worth consciously controlling the consumption of news content. For example, you can set clear time limits for watching the news or arrange entire days without the flow of information. This will help reduce anxiety levels and focus on what you can really control.
News is important, but it's even more important to maintain your own internal balance. News breaks are not about indifference, but about taking care of yourself.
Previously, Anna Sahaidachna spoke about her difficult relationship with her mother.