Crises, wars, attacks, economic and often also private worries – for many, 2024 was not a good year. An expert explains what can help in such times.
A lot came together in the year that was coming to an end: horror scenes from different parts of the world, terror, famine, wars, flood disasters, the rise of populists and, most recently, the attack on the Magdeburg Christmas market, in which several people died and hundreds were seriously injured. As a result, some people feel discouraged and exhausted by the past few months. Psychologist Anja Lehmann from the Clinic for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics at Berlin’s Vivantes Clinic Am Urban explains what can help in such times of crisis:
“The idea that there are answers and solutions to all of the life questions that concern us, some of which are existential, is deeply human. But that is not realistic. Uncertain times still fuel the search for clear, simple answers and instructions for action, because that is what promises Security. But most problems are too complex for that.
From a psychologist’s perspective, I can give some assessments that might help you understand your own situation and also give you courage.
Firstly, we should not confuse the ability to deal with crises with indifference or even with well-being. There is nothing wrong with you if you have negative feelings in negative situations. They belong to us as people.
Not knowing what will happen next is scary; losing someone hurts; realizing that we can and will die is overwhelming; Experiencing how little influence you have on other people makes you sad and helpless.
Mental health also means being able to be sad, to feel fear, to experience powerlessness and not to be afraid of these feelings because they are part of a full life. Things get dangerous when these feelings are all you can feel.
So never deny yourself a look at the small and big good moments in the day and in life. For some people, a gratitude diary helps – small, short notes at the end of the day about what wasn’t bad today. Try it out, it’s just a matter of practice.
Anja Lehmann is a senior psychologist in the Clinic for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics at the Vivantes Clinic Am Urban.
When you are sad, cry and seek comfort, be comforted because it shows that there are people who care about you. That’s luck.
If you feel overwhelmed and overwhelmed, take a break. Fly on vacation if that’s the only place you can relax – you can’t solve the climate crisis alone. Flying is still wrong, you and I know that, but this time you chose it and feeling guilty makes it harder to get the rest you so desperately need and then you would have flown in vain.
And above all: stay curious about yourself. How we react in crises is unpredictable. So you will also learn new things about yourself.
This makes working together better
My request to you for a better coexistence: Assume that every person at any time has a good reason for behaving one way and not another, and this reason is almost never: because this person is stupid or there is something wrong with them . You also claim this for yourself.
Be kind to yourself and find your niche in which you can make the world a little bit more beautiful for this moment, for yourself and/or for others.
With that in mind, I wish you and all of us a better 2025!”
Editor’s note: If you’re feeling lonely over the holidays, you can take advantage of these offers.
- You can reach the telephone counseling service around the clock on 0800 1110111 or 0800 1110222.
- For people aged 60 and over there is “Silbernetz”, which can be reached on 0800 4708090 from December 24th to New Year until 10 p.m.
- Also a tip: the online placement nobleibtallein.net.