War news incrase your fear , panic , anciety , then follow this advice
What is War Anxiety? In the early hours of May 7, India gave a strong retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. Operation Sindoor witnessed the armed forces joining hands to hit terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Amid the rising geopolitical tensions, there is an invisible crisis brewing — the deep impact of such coverage on the mental health and well-being of civilians.
Across homes, social media feeds and family WhatsApp groups, whispers of a potential war began spiralling into collective panic. Not only this, news of mock drills and saving lives by staying in bunkers are giving symptoms of war anxiety even in normal adults. Let us know what is War Anxiety and what is the way to avoid it. If you are also feeling such symptoms, then definitely follow this advice of the expert.
What is War Anxiety?
According to a study by Harvard University, War Anxiety, which is sometimes also called nuclear anxiety, is a common mental reaction that we have after seeing news and pictures related to war or conflict. The news of the Ukraine war, which came after a two-year long pandemic, affected people a lot. One reason for this could be that we were already going through mental conditions like fatigue, anxiety and lack of control.
People suffering from anxiety seek more media coverage-
Research has found that people who are already suffering from anxiety tend to look for media coverage of such crises more, which can worsen their mental condition. This becomes a vicious cycle of anxiety and information addiction, i.e. the more you see, the more you panic. According to psychiatrists, such news acts as a trigger for people who are already suffering from anxiety or panic attacks. The news of war flashing every hour, sounds of explosions and the fear of possible attacks are making their mental health even weaker.
Overconsumption of news: What does it do to you?
“In a war-like situation, people’s realities shift dramatically, and the fear of what is going to happen next intensifies. This fear drives the compulsive urge to constantly seek updates through every available medium,” says Chaubal, adding, “However, not all information available to be consumed is accurate or reliable. Misinformation, fragmented updates, or content related to other countries’ crises—misinterpreted as relevant to one’s own context— can induce more distress. Such unchecked exposure on social media or the internet often keeps people in a prolonged state of hyperarousal, making it difficult to feel safe or calm.” In such a situation, a balance must be maintained between being informed and maintaining mental health standards.
Calming effects of exercise
4-4-4-4 method: This simple breathing technique — inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4, exhale for 4, and hold again for 4 — helps reset the nervous system, bringing racing thoughts under control. Apps like Calmspace, Black Lotus or Headspace can help with guided visuals-based meditations
Yoga and stretching: Yoga is incredibly effective in calming both the body and mind. Even 15–20 minutes of basic poses like child’s pose, downward dog, or legs up the wall can relieve physical tension and ease mental distress.
What do experts say – Dr. Omprakash, a senior psychiatrist at IHBAS Delhi, says that watching negative news continuously increases the level of stress hormones in the brain , which leads to problems like lack of sleep, irritability and panic attacks. On the other hand, news of war and sounds of explosions are very frightening for children. They are unable to understand these incidents and many times they get scared. This can lead to problems like nightmares, bedwetting and keeping away from social activities.
Follow these important tips
Mental health expert Dr. Anil Shekhawat advises that you limit media consumption in such an environment. Avoid watching news throughout the day and get information only from reliable sources. Apart from this, get involved in positive activities. Yoga, meditation and spending time with family will also help you in maintaining good mental health. The most important thing is that we communicate with our children. Explain to them that they are safe and they do not need to be afraid. If the problem of anxiety or panic is still increasing, then consult a psychiatrist.
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