Essentials for Self-Care After a National Disaster

Essential tips for Post Trauma Self-Care. Let me preface with: every situation is different and anyone who goes through any type of trauma knows the road to recovery is different for everyone.

However, there are fundamental physical and emotional responses that almost all humans experience after any natural disaster.

Struggling with how to manage feelings is normal, however it’s also essential to find ways to deal with the stress that support a healthy mind and body.

I hope this article helps bring some peace and clarity to how you approach self-care if you are reeling from a natural disaster.

1. Take it one day, one task at a time. Jot down things that need to be done as you think of them. Prioritize your list and focus on the item on the top of your list. Checking it off when you are done may help you feel accomplished. Celebrate accomplishments.
2. Allow yourself time to grieve. Know that it is okay to go through stages of anger and sadness as you go through recovery. Give yourself permission to grieve, but also remember you can and will get through this. As stated in the step above, take it one day at a time and challenge yourself to find joy and goodness in each day.
3. Look for the good in your days. Gratitude for the workers that come, your helpful neighbors, groups that provide free food, and businesses opening back up can lift your spirits.
4. Surround yourself with friends and family. Talking about the event, your worries and concerns can help reduce stress as well as let you know you are not alone. But don’t spend all your time and energy focused on the negative and hard things that have happened. Find positive things to talk about and lift each other up with encouraging words.
5. Get plenty of rest. It’s no secret, not getting enough rest makes everything feel worse than it really is. During times of natural disasters, “get plenty of rest” might not be feasible, as you are doing what is essential to survive. However, after the storm has passed and you begin to enter the recovery period, it’s going to be essential to get enough rest. Know your body also needs sleep to recover and rebuild, so you can continue to help your community recover and rebuild.
6. Give to others in need. As difficult as this might sound, especially when faced with your own hardships and struggles, finding ways to help others in need can actually help your healing process. The aftermath of natural disasters can feel so overwhelming that sometimes you don’t know where to even begin. Helping others can give you a sense of purpose, especially when there are so many things out of your control as you begin to rebuild and recover.
7. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If the feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression continue to persist or interfere with your ability to function in day to day life, seek out support. Reach out to your doctor and find a mental health professional who can help with your recovery process. You don’t need to go through this alone. There are resources and support groups available to help with the emotional recovery process. Don’t be afraid to take the first step and ask for help.

Struggling with how to manage feelings is normal, however it’s also essential to find ways to deal with the stress that support a healthy mind and body. I hope this article helps bring some peace and clarity to how you approach self-care if you are reeling from a natural disaster.