In the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, war correspondent Trey Yingst exemplifies a stoic calm, even amid the volatile reality of his surroundings. Yingst, currently stationed in Israel and the Gaza Strip, recently shared insights on preserving mental well-being while reporting from one of the world’s most perilous regions during an interview on Men’s Health’s Instagram Live show, Friday Sessions.
Acknowledging the constant threat of danger, Yingst emphasized the importance of balancing fear, stating, “Fear is something that, if you’re not careful, can put you in a very dangerous situation. You’ve gotta have the right amount of fear.” With a decade of experience reporting from conflict zones such as Ukraine, Iraq, and Afghanistan, Yingst, a foreign correspondent for Fox News, sheds light on the intricacies of his current assignment covering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Just 90 minutes before joining Friday Sessions, Yingst and his team sought refuge from rocket fire, narrowly avoiding harm as one landed dangerously close. Describing his reporting in Israel as “one of the most challenging assignments,” Yingst outlined the need for mental clarity during tense situations, citing circular breathing techniques as a coping mechanism.
However, Yingst emphasized that the foundation for mental health resilience is laid during times of peace. He shared his routine of daily exercise and cold plunges, cultivating both physical and mental endurance. “You learn control over your mind and your breathing in a cold plunge,” he explained, emphasizing the applicability of such practices to the challenging conditions of the field.
Being a war correspondent is an around-the-clock commitment, often involving sleepless nights in hazardous territories. Yingst highlighted the mental toughness required not just during conflict but also in the challenging process of returning to a semblance of normalcy post-assignment. “War has a way of changing your mind in a way that is difficult to describe,” he reflected, underscoring the need for a gradual reintegration into society.
Yingst advocated for self-compassion during this reintegration, recognizing its universal relevance. He urged individuals to identify coping mechanisms that work for them, acknowledging the incremental nature of healing. Whether grappling with the aftermath of war or personal challenges, Yingst conveyed a message of hope, asserting, “there are brighter days ahead.”
Yet, amidst the backdrop of destruction and loss, Yingst acknowledged the limitations of optimism in the face of immediate suffering. Empathy, he asserted, is a more potent response. “You can’t tell them it’s OK, because war is ugly. It is horrific,” he stated, highlighting the disproportionate impact on civilians.
In spite of the grim realities he witnesses, Yingst remains optimistic about humanity’s inherent goodness. He sees his role as a war correspondent not only to report but also to “shine light in dark places.” His enduring belief in the inherent goodness of humanity serves as a guiding principle as he continues to navigate the complexities of reporting from conflict zones.
