Ongoing crises such as climate change or international conflicts can severely impact our mental health. A psychologist explains in an interview.
From climate change to the pandemic, economic crises, and wars and conflicts: the news makes many people feel trapped in a perpetual crisis, which can heavily burden our psyche. In a study from last year, almost half of Americans (43 percent) reported feeling much or somewhat more worried than twelve months ago.
Top concerns include inflation and rising prices, the political situation domestically and abroad, worries about their children, and the fear of increasing societal division. This can have a strong impact on our mental health: over a quarter of respondents reported more rumination or feeling exhausted and energyless, especially among Generation Z.
How can we better care for our mental health in times when crises seem to be everywhere? In an interview with the news agency spot on news, Dr. Alena Rentsch, a psychological psychotherapist at the online platform HelloBetter, explains how crises impact our psyche, how to achieve balance, and how especially young people can be protected.
What Do Global Crises Like Climate Change, Wars, or Economic Uncertainties Do to Our Mental Health?
Dr. Alena Rentsch: Crises are events or changes in life that are not or hardly manageable at that moment and come with a loss of psychological balance. Psychologically speaking, crises put us under acute stress because we feel we have lost control over the internal or external situation. Reactions to this stress can vary widely among individuals.
It can manifest in exhaustion, nervousness, or concentration problems. Thoughts often revolve around the experienced events even during the day, thoughts like “Everything is just too much for me right now” become prevalent, or physical symptoms like insomnia, stomach issues, or headaches may appear. If these complaints are short-lived, it’s usually not a cause for concern. However, if someone feels overwhelmed by a crisis or their daily life over a longer period, they are at a higher risk of serious illness.
Is This a New Development Because Crises Are Much More Present Due to Social Media and Online News?
Dr. Rentsch: The psychological burden from crises in the world is not a new phenomenon, but it has changed due to digitalization. Through social media and online news, we are constantly confronted with problems and suffering of others, which can touch and burden us.
However, there are various factors that influence our mental health, such as our individual resilience, social environment, living conditions, and personal experiences.
In summary, the constant confrontation with negative news and images from around the world can cause more stress, anxiety, or sadness in us. But it can also make us feel more solidarity, empathy, or hope. It depends on how we process the information and how we protect ourselves or deal with it.
Ignoring Negative News Is Not a Solution Either. How Can We Create a Good Balance to Protect Our Mental Health?
Dr. Rentsch: For a healthy approach to news, several aspects need to be considered. First, it’s important to pay attention to the quality of the information. This means choosing trustworthy sources and not relying solely on social media.
Additionally, news podcasts or reading a daily newspaper can help maintain an emotional distance from distressing topics. The advantage of podcasts is that they don’t present images, and newspapers often provide less image-heavy content compared to online media or TV. It’s also helpful to follow constructive news and notice positive developments. There are formats that specialize in highlighting positive events and progress in the world and society.
Another important point is timing: it can be sensible to limit consumption to once daily and especially not just before going to bed. This can help reduce mental strain.
Furthermore, it’s crucial to step out of the digital space and actively engage in real life. Meeting friends, discussing various topics, pursuing hobbies like sports, art, or music—all of this helps actively participate in life and not focus solely on news.
Finally, it’s important to find a channel for the energy awakened by the news. Whether participating in demonstrations, engaging politically, discussing with friends, or getting involved in other ways, it’s essential to direct this energy into meaningful paths instead of getting lost in an endless cycle of self-absorption.
Keyword “German Angst”: It Is Often Said That Germans Are Particularly Anxious and React Less Calmly to Crises Than Others. Why Is That? And Why Do Some People Find It Easier to Cope with Crises?
Dr. Rentsch: The term “German Angst” suggests that Germans are very worried and react particularly anxiously, especially in crisis situations. Anxiety itself is not a negative emotion but a natural and fundamental human reaction that can protect us from dangers. It motivates us to take precautions and look for solutions. For example, the fear of the climate crisis can be positive as it prompts actions and changes to address this global threat.
Why might Germans be particularly prone to anxiety and worries? One possible explanation is that historical events such as the two World Wars, the division of the country, and reunification have left deep marks on the collective psyche. Such profound crises can lead to a loss of security, orientation, and identity. These historical imprints could still play a role today in how Germans respond to crises.
From a psychotherapeutic perspective, however, individual differences in dealing with crises are much more decisive. Some people find it easier to cope with stress and anxiety. This depends on various factors such as personal resilience, past experiences, social environment, and the availability of resources and support. It’s important to recognize that coping with anxiety is an individual process and that there are different ways to effectively deal with challenges.
Young People Are Particularly Confronted with Negative News Through Social Media. How Can Parents Act to Protect Their Children?
Dr. Rentsch: Parents should actively accompany their children’s news consumption. Especially younger children should not consume news unsupervised, as they might have difficulty understanding the content on their own. There are valuable news programs for children that are specifically tailored to their needs. However, it’s still important for parents to be present, discuss the content together, answer their children’s questions, and provide necessary context.
It’s advisable to limit children’s media use, especially on social media, or at least accompany it. This might not be possible with teenagers anymore, but parents can encourage them to follow reliable sites and formats that offer trustworthy information.
Equally important is the emotional presence of parents, especially when noticing that news about topics like war or pandemics causes stress or anxiety. The topic of anxiety should be openly discussed and support offered.
