What to do if a summons for mobilization has arrived: advice from psychologists

You received a summons and found out that you are subject to mobilization. The moment is extremely difficult. We have prepared tips on how to balance yourself and loved ones in such a situation.

So, you received a summons and found out that you are subject to mobilization. Military events, as history teaches us, never unfold according to previously known scenarios. Feeling confused is normal for most of those who have a very indirect relationship with the army. For those who have served, have a military specialty or rank, it is easier to accept the situation.

If thoughts like “this is not happening to me”, “it can’t be”, “it doesn’t mean anything, because it will all end soon”, then you should know that this is how the psyche is protected from stress. Then calmer stages of perception may come, but at the very beginning you need to support yourself. This can be done only by comprehending and realizing what is happening.

Increase immunity to the situation

Be sure to develop immunity to the situation, because too deep immersion in it can seriously destroy the psyche and relationships with loved ones. Cataclysms are constantly arising in the world now, everything is changing at lightning speed, and here the main action is to increase the level of personal vitality and optimism.

Epidemics, wars and mobilizations have been and will be, but the priority should not be awareness of the catastrophe, but the ability to enter into it with good internal resources. Only this will give impetus to the update.

Many unknowns

You also need to understand that the essence of the word “mobilization” for each specific person is an equation with many unknowns. After all, no one knows how events will unfold further. In fact, it is quite possible that you will not be specifically sent to where there is a heavy fire. You may never find yourself in an active war zone at all.

Reassure loved ones

The internal situation in the family greatly affects you and your family and friends. Therefore, try to reassure them at least by the fact that it makes no sense to be afraid and suffer in advance. Say that you need to be afraid of something specific, and everything else is still just speculation that does not have specific outlines.

Remind them that you are ready to do everything for your family, and the realization of responsibility for it will help you in any situation. Try to hug your loved ones more often and tell them things they would like to hear. Reassure that you will try to be in touch with them as often as possible.

Take care of practical matters

Don’t waste time on ineffective activities. This will help you calm down and shift your focus. You need to take care of additional equipment, draw up the necessary documents at work, deal with a deferral of loans, if any, perhaps issue powers of attorney for one of your relatives. All this is very important.

Consult with experienced friends

Perhaps you have friends and acquaintances who have already been in “hot spots” and war zones. Ask them questions that really bother you – and get specific answers that will help you keep your composure and come in handy in the future.

Talk to a psychologist

In the event that you feel that you cannot cope with what happened, it makes sense to contact a psychologist, or at least consult with psychological help services by phone. It is likely that you will be given some simple and concise advice on how to overcome the situation, which lie on the surface, but which you yourself would never have reached due to the fact that you do not have special knowledge.

Breathe deep

To find inner balance in the most nervous moments, use the deep breathing technique. There is nothing difficult in it, just take a deep breath, completing the exhalation, hold your breath slightly, and then exhale to the end very, very slowly. With each such exercise, a person imperceptibly gets rid of internal tension.

Natalia Dolgova, psychologist:

– The bad expectation syndrome sets the brain to self-destruction.

To stop the flow of negative thoughts, try asking yourself simple questions: “Where am I?”, “What day of the week is it?”, “What did I want to do tonight?” and so on. You can also try to imagine yourself in some kind of safe place, fictional or real – in this case it does not matter.

And then you need to focus on what you can really control at this stage of your life. It is important to correctly identify these moments and outline productive points in the action plan.