Feeling overwhelmed or going through an emotional rollercoaster ever since the Thawra began? You’re not the only one! The good news is that there are some things that you can do to help you survive (and maybe thrive?)  during these hectic times. 

Our mental health and well-being are affected by our political, social and economic environment. So giving that we’re living pretty intense times these days, at some point you’ve probably felt overwhelmed with your emotions. 

At the beginning of the Thawra you probably felt hope, exaltation, energy, joy, you felt like you belonged, you felt connected to people. One of the therapists we interviewed told us that her patients felt better at the beginning of the protests. 

Problem is, as the protests continued and our dear politicians failed to address our needs, other emotions crept in: emotions such as fatigue, hopelessness, despair, anxiety, fear.

The good news is that there are ways to manage all these emotions. We interviewed one psychologist and one psychiatrist, and we share with you 8 tips they gave us to manage all these emotions better. 
The whole idea boils down to integrating the thawra in your new routine. 

1- Be aware of the psychological war of the powers in place against the protestors

The therapists we interviewed highlighted the fact that the politically-owned media and the traditional political parties play on our fears (of the unknown, of chaos, of civil war, of an economic disaster) to discourage the protestors. Being aware of this can help you put things into perspective when you hear/read these messages of fear and hate. 

2- Be -well- informed! 

The best way to counter fear is to be well informed. And no, watching TV all day long does not count, as most TVs are politically owned or affiliated . Actually the people who stay all day long in front of their screens show more signs of depression and anxiety than the ones who take part in the protests. 

There are lots of info circulating these days, most of them fake or inaccurate, and the level of panic is pretty high. Which is why knowing where and whom you can get your info from on social media and elsewhere is vital. Remember to check the source of the info you get (especially on Whatsapp!). And go see for yourself what happens on the ground (but stay safe please). 

3-Go to the protests and talks

Protests are more than .. well, protesting. There are talks, conferences, debates, interviews happening on a daily basis. You’ll have access to better information and you’ll be able to better understand the situation and the alternatives. You’ll grow your political, economic and political knowledge. Daleel el Thawra publishes a daily calendar of events happening around you, check them out! 

4- Acknowledge your fears and “negative” feelings

Fear, anxiety, fatigue, hopelessness… are part of the process. These “negative” feelings are  a sign that something is wrong or bothering you. Don’t ignore them, it will only make things worse in the long run. Try to acknowledge them, to name them, to understand where they come from, and then talk about them with people you trust and love . 

5- Bond /connect with your friends and family

During hard times, it’s more important than ever to stay connected to your friends and family. Sharing with them your fears, emotions, insecurities, will help you go through them, you will feel less lonely in your emotions. And your conversations don’t have to be only about the thawra! Don’t forget that you have a life outside of the revolts too, and that your love, friendship, family and work stories are worth sharing too! 

6- Create a new routine 

You probably changed your routine with the thawra. Protests take time! And listening to talks is more important than, say.. sports. 

Problem is, in the long run, it can make you feel destabilized. So try creating some kind of routine, mixing the protests and talks with stuff you used to do before the protests started and which make you happy/healthy (sports, music, coffee with your friends.. your pick).

7- Keep in mind that the thawra is a looooong process 

Change is hard, and it takes time. Be aware of it, and arm yourself with patience. You most certainly will go through phases of hope, happiness, joy, followed by fatigue and frustration, anxiety, etc. 
It’s all part of change.

8- Take time off

And last but not least, you don’t have to go to the protests every day. Hell, you don’t even have to check the news (and yes, Whatsapp messages are part of the news) every day. Disconnecting from time to time will allow you to recharge your batteries and stay stronger longer. 

Sources: 
Hala Kerbage, psychiatrist USJ 
Olivia Shabb, psychologist