Resilience and self-care in protracted conflicts.

Conflicts that are prolonged over time can generate a deep emotional drain, a sense of exhaustion that appears when you try to resolve or tolerate a situation that does not change.

This burnout can manifest itself as mental fatigue, instability, helplessness, chronic frustration and difficulty making decisions.

If not detected early, it can become a vicious cycle: the more you burn out, the worse you manage conflict, and the worse you manage it, the more you burn out.

For this reason, self-care is not a luxury, but a strategic necessity for your emotional health and for intelligent conflict management.

Strategies to protect your well-being

To avoid emotional burnout and build resilience, it is crucial to apply the following strategies:

Accept that not everything is resolved immediately: Part of the burnout comes from the expectation that the conflict will be resolved quickly.

Accepting that there are situations that take time is not resignation, but maturity.

Set boundaries and keep them firm: In protracted conflicts, it is easy to be tempted to give in for peace, but this peace is artificial and only generates more exhaustion.

Reflect on what you are tolerating and what you need to take care of in order not to lose yourself in the situation, and then act accordingly.

Create spaces for emotional disconnection: You cannot be thinking about the problem all day long.

Take time for activities that take your mind and emotions away from the conflict, such as walking, reading or exercising.

Seek support: Sharing what you are going through with someone you trust, such as a friend or therapist, can ease the burden and help you see the situation from a new perspective.

Don't let conflict define your identity: A common mistake is to make conflict your story. Remember that you are not the problem; you are much more than that.

Continue to nurture other areas of your life, such as your passions and healthy attachments, to maintain your balance and protect yourself.

Celebrate small advances: In long conflicts, it is important to recognize small achievements, such as when you manage to respond without reacting or when you calmly draw a boundary. Don't underestimate your emotional progress.

Remember that true mental toughness is not demonstrated in the absence of difficulties, but in ou