How to Avoid Desensitization During Times of Crisis

Desensitization is a psychological response, where we become less sensitive to emotions associated with news about a crisis. This can lead to apathy and indifference, which can be damaging.

There are some steps we can take to avoid becoming desensitized during times of crisis:

- Acknowledge your feelings. Recognize and accept the emotions that arise during a crisis. Acknowledging our feelings can help us to stay connected and engaged with the situation, instead of becoming numb or indifferent.

- Connect with others. Talking to friends and family about the crisis can help us stay emotionally connected. It can also help to find areas of commonality, which can remind us of our shared humanity and the importance of taking action.

- Take action. Taking action, no matter how small, can help to maintain our emotional engagement and connection. It can also provide a feeling of accomplishment and empowerment, which can help to counteract the feelings of helplessness that often accompany a crisis.

- Limit media consumption. Too much media consumption can lead to desensitization. It’s important to stay informed, but it’s also important to limit our exposure to news and media about the crisis.

- Get creative. Creative activities, such as journaling, can help to keep us mentally and emotionally engaged. They can also help us to process and work through our emotions constructively. But don't ignore what happens and don't normalize it.