DELFI.LT: Doctor warns - it is necessary to dose the information received
Doctor warns – it is necessary to dose the information received
Constantly being involved in the flow of disturbing news irritates the nervous system, disrupts night sleep, which is extremely harmful to human health. In addition, it hinders one's ability to be useful to others. This is noted by Jurgita Šiupšinskaitė, an endobiogenics doctor and expert on the information platform "Tavo imunitetas". She advises on how to effectively help yourself and others at this time, the press release says.
It is necessary to dose the news flow
The doctor says that we have already overcome the initial shock when we learned the news, because some time has passed. Now, according to her, our sympathetic nervous system is activated inside – it is not only adrenaline, but also the mobilization system. “And what we do is we are constantly looking for some information, and after all, information has already occupied our brains these days, so we overload them even more. Therefore, in order to calm down, it is necessary to limit the search for information, we should not be constantly on the Internet. Of course, what is happening is important and we need to orient ourselves, but following the news needs to be distributed – two or three times a day, similar to how we eat,” advises J. Šiupšinskaitė.
According to her, it is very bad if we are constantly "online", because we irritate our nervous system too much, it does not turn off, it is constantly in a mode as if we are at war with ourselves. So, in order to stop this process, it is important to limit the flow of information. According to the doctor, another effective way of self-help is to be active and do something that is useful, involves a person in activity.
"We should not underestimate the simplest everyday tasks that help us calm down - when we calm down, we can help others more. In the face of stress, a person needs any action, for example, tidying up their rooms, going shopping. In addition, in the current situation, there is a great opportunity to contribute to aid initiatives, there are many volunteering solutions - this is how a person can feel useful. And taking care of others helps us take care of ourselves," says J. Šiupšinskaitė.
It is important to find places for positivity
Although everything seems meaningless now, and it seems inappropriate to be happy about something, the doctor says that in a situation that requires quick action, we can only strengthen our bodies with positivity.
"From anxiety and the abundance of information, you need to move on to certain actions that would be beneficial to you, your family, your loved ones, the country, and your allies in a broad sense. Anxiety needs to be transformed into positive action. Of course, creating positive visions that everything will be fine, and similar non-specific things have a short-term effect - after all, we all see what the situation is like now, the war is not receding, so we cannot deceive ourselves that everything will be fine. We need to look for solutions, what I can do, even a small step, in this situation. Such positivity calms the body a little. The following cycle is obtained: thought, action, and result, then we rest for a while and start a new cycle again - we think of something again, find it, go, do it, and then rest again. Always direct your anxiety towards positive activities," advises J. Šiupšinskaitė.
The interviewee says that during this period it is very important to think about how our loved ones are feeling. "We should "keep our pulse" not only by following the situation abroad, but also in our close environment - we may not even notice that someone from our loved ones is feeling very bad psychologically. After all, we, Lithuanians, are in no hurry to seek psychological help, to admit that we are exhausted. Let's communicate with each other, be together, talk about security, what we can do to feel safer, stronger. Now it is important for everyone to orient themselves, where we live, where we would be safer, do we know where our documents are, etc.," says the doctor.
Let's not make mistakes.
According to J. Šiupšinskaitė, the biggest mistake now is not taking care of your health.
"Because of stress, we start eating anything, we spend little time in the fresh air, we don't get as much sleep as we need, because it seems that there are more important things to do. Such things lead to overwork, the body's strength decreases. People, wanting to help themselves, start buying various food supplements, although they don't even know if they need them. But no additional substances will save you if you don't rest, you don't get fresh air, you don't see sunlight, and if you eat fast food. Ensure these things first," the doctor emphasizes.
It reminds me of the airplane rule - we must first take care of ourselves before we can take care of others.
"So first of all, I have to get out of it myself, orient myself, limit the flow of information, take care of my well-being and health, then turn to my loved ones and help others. Don't forget that a night's sleep is especially important, maybe even more important than eating more for several days or weeks, because sleep has a huge impact on the nervous system. A well-rested person is more stable, thinks more clearly, and can more easily prioritize in a panic situation," says J. Šiupšinskaitė.
