We may be thousands of kilometres away and living in relative safety, yet a news update, unanswered message, or image can make the body respond as if danger were close. This is not an overreaction or a failure to appreciate our present life. Emotional ties to family, friends, language, and place do not end at a border.
Several realities can exist at once
Someone living abroad may feel grateful for safety or opportunity while worrying about people in Iran. They may want to continue daily life while feeling guilty for laughing, resting, or moving forward. This is not necessarily a contradiction; it may reflect the presence of several attachments and realities at the same time.
Repeated exposure to images and accounts of collective events can also intensify stress responses. Research following collective trauma found that heavier media exposure was associated with higher acute stress. This does not mean we must disengage from what matters. It highlights the value of choosing how and how often we engage.
Signs of prolonged alertness
- Checking news and messages repeatedly, including during the night
- Restlessness, physical tension, disrupted sleep, or difficulty concentrating
- Guilt about safety, pleasure, or continuing with life
- Feeling unable to step away from news while also exhausted by it
Caring without severing connection
Choosing specific times and reliable sources for news, turning off alerts, noticing bodily signs, and keeping human contact can reduce the intensity of alertness. One values-based action—calling someone, offering practical support, or participating responsibly—may also turn helplessness into meaningful action.
Caring for ourselves does not require denying our attachments. Therapy can make space for grief, anger, fear, and guilt, while helping us remain connected to what matters without losing our everyday life.