Hannah and Arkady Rubin, who live in Kharkiv, Ukraine, are coping with the ongoing war and its impact on their family, particularly their two-year-old daughter Leia. The Rubins’ lives have been profoundly affected by the constant threat of air raids, leading them to avoid air raid alerts at night to ensure they get some sleep. Hannah removed the Air Raid Alerts app from her phone, prioritizing sleep over the anxiety of alerts. Psychologist Julijah Kratt, who works with individuals affected by the war, notes a significant increase in sleep disorders and depression among Ukrainians, suggesting that people should minimize distractions to improve their sleep.
The war has made sleep elusive for many, including firefighters like Volodymyr Lohinov, who often seize any opportunity to rest between shifts. Nighttime attacks have brought additional stress and trauma, with Lohinov’s father being killed during a night response, highlighting the dangers first responders face. Families like the Rubins try to shield their young children from the harsh realities of war, fabricating explanations for the sounds of conflict.
The article discusses the changing landscape in Kharkiv, where nighttime darkness has become more pronounced due to streetlights being turned off for safety and power plant destruction. Despite quieter nights, the psychological impact of the war lingers, making it difficult for many to embrace silence and find peace. Kratt emphasizes the importance of adjusting to quietness, as it can be difficult for those conditioned to fear nighttime attacks to understand that silence can mean safety.
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