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I am an expat living in Israel.
I have lived here for about four years (because of visa issues, I have had to leave the country at different times).
There is no where else I would rather be. I love the people, the food, and the history. And I am doing reconciliation work between Arabs and Jews.
There is also a war in and around Israel at this present time. It may seem crazy to stay when there is war and tension all around and not return to my home country. However, one, it is only affecting parts of Israel, and, two, how can I hold my head up and claim to live here if I leave because of conflict?
At the same time, I cannot deny that it is intense.
I live in the central north of Israel, two hours north of Tel Aviv, the target missile zone, and two hours south of the northern border, Hezbollah territory and fire zone. Hearing about missiles and drones is a daily reality, as well as figuring out where the closest bomb shelter is and stocking up supplies for days at a time in lieu of threats of missile attacks.
Think back to COVID-19. Multiply that times ten, and you will get a fairly accurate picture of what life is like here.
I may not be in a war zone, but I am definitely in a crisis zone that could quickly become a war zone.
So how do I function in such a place without becoming numb, doom scrolling, or binge watching Netflix? Below are seven strategies I am using to stay sane and present in the midst of this conflict.
Walking and Exercising
I am a mover. I hate sitting in chairs, and I walk every day for about 40 minutes to an hour.
Motion is lotion, they say, and I see how movement has kept me feeling young and vibrant, which is especially important as I approach 40.
Movement keeps me from being too much in my head, which is very easy to do, especially as I take in news and other input about the war and process it. Being able to move and either turn off my mind or provide the necessary blood flow to my brain so I can think more clearly is a welcome relief. Moving signals to my body to release any tension that may be connected to the stress of the war situation as it is sometimes hard to put words to emotions.¹
I feel even better if I go hiking in the woods—with a buddy or my dog—or dance by the sea. I believe that being in nature enhances the effects of exercise on the body, so I make it a point to be outside.
In fact, Traditional Naturopath and Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner, Rose Langston-Antonio, states how being in the sun when it is the strongest helps to drain the lymphatic system, which keeps the immune system healthy.²
One day, I went for a walk during the hottest part of the day and got so many ideas. I felt much clearer and better when I came home. That was enough to convince me to move more in the sun.
Eating Clean & Limiting Toxins
As I have learned more about the importance of health, it makes sense that what I consume or put near my body is going to affect me either positively or negatively.
It makes sense to eat food that enhances my health. The food is broken down and then goes to the blood stream, which takes the nutrients from the food to the rest of our body, including the brain. It’s logical to think then that what I eat will affect my cognitive function.
Living in a crisis area I want to make sure I am always alert to what could change around me and be able to respond quickly, so I want to consume foods that will help me, like walnuts—which look like tiny brains, right? I want to limit my sugar and fatty foods because they make me slow and sluggish in my thinking and movements.⁴
Also, we are becoming more aware of the toxins in our cleaning products and how it affects our bodies as well³, so I try to use natural ingredients instead. I am amazed as I begin to understand that everything we need is in nature. Some basic natural ingredients, like baking soda and lemon, can be used interchangeably to clean most surfaces or body parts. Plus, there are no chemicals or harmful substances to worry about ingesting!
Being mindful of what I put on, in and around my body, has given me piece of mind and allowed me to relax even in a stressful place.
Talking to a Counselor
I am so fortunate! After the death of a dear friend—not related to the war—I was offered free counseling to process both difficult situations. The lady I met with was wonderful, and we connected so well that she offered to continue meeting me!
I meet with her twice a month, and it is something I prioritize and look forward to. It is wonderful to have someone to really listen to what I am experiencing and feeling. Knowing there are safe people in the world to process with encourages me to look at past trauma and deal with it accordingly, which enables me to be a safe person for others.
Also, talking to a counselor has helped me put language to what I am thinking. This encourages me to trust myself, which has also helped me to relax because I have confidence that I can face whatever comes my way.
Choosing what Media to Listen to & When
In the age of information overload, it is easy to be overwhelmed with all that is happening around me.⁵ And it seems like both parties in this war make a profit off of the fear and confusion of the people. It is easy to wake up, pick up my phone and hear of missiles there, tunnels in another place, and the general heartbreak and pain of both Jew and Arab.
Because I do reconciliation work, I care deeply about both sides, but I am also aware that being an empath, I can quickly pick up and then be overcome by the pain and fear all around me. I cannot solve the problems in Israel in one moment, day, or even year. I can only do my part to bring light and love to those around me. But I cannot do that if I am also under the weight of stress, sadness, or confusion. Therefore, I am careful about what news I consume and when.
I do not check the news when I wake up or when I go to bed. And while I try to listen to news sources from both sides, I do not choose channels that bash the other or do not have a hopeful outlook about the situation. Also, if I notice that I am consuming a lot of news, I try to take a break for a day.
I am also careful with whom I discuss the current events. While I am open to hearing people’s experiences or to sit with them in their pain, I choose to not engage with those who let their anger or frustration lead to hurtful speech of the other side. Words have power, and I only want to partner with words that are constructive.
All this helps give me a positive resolve to bring change to my friends and community in a way that benefits them.
Praying Daily the Armor of the Messiah
I am a Christian, and I take my faith seriously. There is a passage in the Bible that says to put on the armor of God to be able to stand firm in the midst of evil. It goes on to stay that the fight is not against people, but against evil forces in the spiritual realm.
To put this in context, this war is “evil” because there is death and destruction. But the people fighting are not the ones I am to engage with, rather the spiritual forces operating in them to bring about the atrocities we see.
In order to fight effectively, I need to make sure I am spiritually aligned with truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and a sound mind—the armor of God, so I can recognize the evil and stand for all that is good. This can translate into meditating on good things and their power instead of magnifying the bad. Then I can bring those qualities into play to offset the evil around me.
If a driver speeds up and doesn’t let me cross the street, I can bless her. If people are protesting the war, I can go into the crowd and listen and love on the hurting mothers whose sons are fighting. If Hezbollah sends a missile, I can pray that it is deflected, so there is no more loss of life.
I believe spiritual components are just as powerful to bring change as natural disciplines, and I want to use all the tools at my disposal to not only help me stay in peace, but to be able to bring peace to others.
Cuddling with my dog
I got my dog in Israel just before COVID-19 hit the world, and I am so glad that I did. She has been such a companion and joy to be around, and she saved my roommate and I during that crisis. Because of her, we could walk farther than our one kilometer limit from our house.
Also, who doesn’t love dogs? She has been a great icebreaker in meeting new people and making new friends.
During the war, we have regulated each other through physical contact which helps us both stay calm. Even now as I type, she is right behind me, her bottom against mine.
In additon, since I don’t have my own family yet, having an animal to take care of takes the focus off of me and my needs and helps me to gain another perspective of reality. I am so thankful for my fur baby!
Having an Emergency Game Plan
On the practical side, I am not naïve to think that just being positive is going to keep me out of harm’s way. Like I said before, this crisis zone can easily turn into a war zone, so it is best to prepare just in case. That way I am ready for any situation.
I make sure to know where the bomb shelters are, especially when I go out. My roommate and I have a plan of where to meet if we are separated and there is no electricity or internet. We are even devising a plan for what to do with our dog if for whatever reason, we can’t take her with us.
After a year of death and war, I have realized that life can’t be taken for granted. Instead of being caught by surprise, it is better to have a plan in place just in case. I can’t control every outcome, but I can make sure I am at least aware and taking possibilities into account in my daily life. Then I can continue with my daily life without a nagging fear of the unknown because I thought ahead.
There are so many other strategies I use, like making sure I get enough sleep and checking in with friends back home to take my mind off the situation in Israel. The ones I elaborated on above have been the ones I either started recently or became even more convinced of their value in my daily life, so I can remain sane, healthy and life-giving to others.
The beauty of these disciplines is that it is not only beneficial for those of us who are in crisis zones, but they are also means to take control of our lives in healthy ways. I am learning that peace is a state of mind. No one can give it to me, but I can maintain it for myself no matter what is happening around me. Having these rhythms are great tools to take personal responsibility and control. The more I take responsibility and control, the safer and more at peace I feel.
~
1 ” Mental Health is…Moving your Body.” University of Boulder Colorado.
2 Leaves from the Tree.
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