Tips for Survivors of a Traumatic Event
Things to Remember When Trying to Understand Disaster Events
No one who experiences a disaster is untouched by it.
It is normal to feel anxious about you and your family’s safety.
Profound sadness, grief, and anger are normal reactions to an abnormal event.
Acknowledging our feelings helps us recover.
Focusing on your strengths and abilities will help you to heal.
Accepting help from community programs and resources is healthy.
We each have different needs and different ways of coping.
It is common to want to strike back at people who have caused great
pain. However, nothing good is accomplished by hatefullanguage or actions.
Ways to Ease the Stress
Talk with someone about your feelings (anger, sorrow, and other emotions) even though it may be difficult.
Don’t hold yourself responsible for the disastrous event or be frustrated because you feel that you cannot help directly in the rescue work.
Take steps to promote your own physical and emotional healing by staying active in your daily life patterns or by adjusting them.
A healthy approach to life (e.g.,healthy eating, rest, exercise,relaxation, meditation) will help both you and your family.