Nurture inner peace whilst providing support during societal conflict

I wanted to try and support people affected by the conflict in Gaza and Israel. My heart goes out to those people with friends and family in the area and those who this conflict is touching directly. I also know that these events impact everyone and even if you are not directly affected you may be suffering sadness, despair and anxiety at what you are hearing.

Firstly, it is ok to feel like this. Don’t automatically try to replace any negative thoughts you are feeling about the situation with positive ones, sit with your emotions and feelings initially, and do not attribute any judgment to yourself for feeling the way you do. Try to tap into what it is that these feelings are telling you.

You might also find it helpful to choose the media that you are engaging with. On social media the ‘click-bait’ way that headlines are written is designed to suck you into ‘doom scrolling’, you might find other media sources such as newspapers keep you up to date about the situation but without affecting your emotions in the same way. It is also advisable to check the news later in the day as what you consume first thing in the morning influences your state of mind for the rest of the day. You might also find it helpful to set some boundaries for yourself, limiting the amount of content you consume.

If you engage with others about the conflict, approach the conversation with an open mind and a willingness to listen. Recognise that people might hold differing opinions and emotions. Practice empathy by listening without judgment. Try to find common ground, where you both share the same values.

If after consuming something or having a conversation that does make you feel sad, perhaps try to do something that will help you lift your mood, like listening to some upbeat music or doing some exercise. However, sometimes in these situations, and in situations where we are practicing gratitude, we can feel guilty for what we have when there is so much suffering going on.

Psychologists recommend that if the weight of what is going on is negatively impacting you one of the most effective things that you can do is to do something that will actively make a positive contribution to the situation. This could be by making a charity donation to a number of the organisations that are providing humanitarian aid to civilians or by supporting a friend who you know is also being affected by the conflict, listening, empathy and connection are a huge source of comfort.