What You Can Do For Yourself

It will take time before you start to feel better.

Traumatic events often cause feelings of helplessness, anxiety, and aggression, and sometimes the stress can be too much to handle alone.

Things that you can do for yourself include:

·       Talking to others about how you are feeling - talk is healing medicine. Talk with family, friends, clergy, your doctor, or a mental health professional.

·       Try not to isolate yourself - remember that those around you are also under stress and you're all experiencing normal reactions to an abnormal situation. Maintain your connections with friends, relatives, co-workers, and neighbors ..

·       Physical exercise can help relieve stress, and strenuous exercise alternated with relaxation will help alleviate physical reactions.

·       Give yourself permission to feel rotten and time to heal.

     You're suffering from loss and it's all right to grieve for the loss of material things. You wouldn't have obtained them or kept them around if they

     didn't have meaning to you.

·        Accept support - from loved ones, friends, neighbors ­people do care.

•     Eat well-balanced, regular meals and get rest.

·        Be kind to yourself - and be sure to ask for help if you are feeling overwhelmed with the aftermath of a disaster or other traumatic event.