Despite the ceasefire: why is it difficult for us to return to normal?

Yesterday (the night between Tuesday and Wednesday) a ceasefire was announced in the war with Iran. In most regions of the country, the children are returning to the frameworks and the economy is back to almost full functioning, apparently. But for many, the sudden return to “normal” daily life involves feelings of confusion and anxiety.

According to Dr. Eidit Gutman, a psychologist from Tel Aviv University, the very transition is a mental challenge. “Transitions, even small ones, mobilize our administrative functions. Even getting out of a nice bath, interrupting a binge, or scattering the children in the morning – all of these require mental effort from us, so it’s certainly not surprising that the transition from a state of war to normality – is much more complex.”

“The mind does not work at the push of a button”

During the last few weeks, life was conducted under constant pressure: alarms, sleepless nights and above all uncertainty. “The demand to function normally while we were under fire now translates into the expectation of returning to classes, to work, or to say goodbye to the grandchildren we were watching over – as if nothing had happened, but the mind does not operate at the push of a button,” says Gutman. “Even after a normal vacation, it takes time to get back to normal – but here it is something completely different. There is no clear ending, no emotional ‘closure’ – just a sharp transition from one situation to another.”

Another factor that makes recovery difficult is the lack of a framework that explains the experience. “We lack a social script,” explains Dr. Gutman. “One that puts into words what we went through, gives meaning and enables closure – also through rituals or clear signs. In the absence of such a script, many are left with unprocessed feelings – which continue to accompany us even when the so-called routine returns.

The way to cope: patience – especially towards ourselves

The first step is to understand that this is normal. Dr. Gutman says that the difficulty of returning to routine after such an intense period is not a weakness – but a natural reaction. The meaning is not to rush to “catch up”, but to allow ourselves a gradual transition, with more patience – for ourselves and the environment. In addition, she suggests talking about what happened, allowing ourselves to also feel mixed feelings and understand that they are adapted to the situation.