Stress, anger, fear, anxiety, and sadness are just some of the emotions that are possible after a disaster or traumatic event. There is no way to prepare emotionally because, typically, the occurrence is unexpected. Recovering from an upsetting experience isn’t a short road and will take time to heal. Here are ways provided by the Red Cross to help cope with a disaster.
- Take time to take care of yourself and your family. Reach out to others to offer and receive support.
- Events like this can cause feelings of uncertainty and anxiety since no one knows for sure what will happen next. Remember that it’s okay to feel nervous.
- Eat healthy, drink plenty of water and get enough rest.
- Be patient with yourself and others. It’s common to have any number of temporary stress reactions such as anger, frustration, anxiety or difficulty sleeping.
- Parents should let children talk about their fears and then reassure them about their safety.
- People should also be careful not to overexpose themselves to media reports about the storm.
If you feel like you need more assistance and help getting through this time, the Red Cross provides free 24/7 counseling or support. Contact the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs’ to 66746.
Resources:
http://www.redcross.org/find-help/disaster-recovery/recovering-emotionally
http://www.redcross.org/news/press-release/Red-Cross-Responds-to-Tornadoes-Across-Multiple-States
