ways for you to respond to stress reaction
THINGS TO TRY
-- WITHIN THE FIRST 24-48 HOURS have periods of appropriate physical exercise alternated with relaxation will alleviate some of the physical reactions
-- Structure your time- Keep Busy
-- You’re normal and having normal reactions -don’t label yourself crazy
-- When you are ready, talk to people-- talk is a most healing medicine
-- Beware of numbing the pain with overdoing of drugs or alcohol.
You don’t need to complicate this with substance abuse problems
-- Reach out-- people do care
-- Maintain as normal a schedule as possible, but don’t insist on normal levels of productivity
-- Spend time with others
-- Help your co-workers as much as possible by sharing feelings and checking out how they are doing
-- Give yourself permission to feel rotten and share your feelings with others
-- Keep a journal
Write your way through those sleepless hours. Later, if unwanted symptoms persist, journal writing is one of the very best forms of therapy and trauma resolution
-- Do things that feel good to you
-- Realize that those around you may be under stress
-- Don’t make any big life changes
-- Do make as many daily decision as possible, which will give you a feeling of control over your life (i.e., if someone asks you what you want to eat, answer them even if your are not sure)
-- Get plenty of rest
-- If there is media coverage of the traumatic event, limit how much TV you watch.
Do not spend all your time watching the sights and sounds of the disaster over and over.
-- Reoccurring thoughts, dreams or flashbacks are normal - don’t try to fight them - they’ll decrease over time and become less painful as you talk about the event
-- Eat well - balanced and light meals (even if you don't feel like it)
-- WITHIN THE FIRST 24-48 HOURS have periods of appropriate physical exercise alternated with relaxation will alleviate some of the physical reactions
-- Structure your time- Keep Busy
-- You’re normal and having normal reactions -don’t label yourself crazy
-- When you are ready, talk to people-- talk is a most healing medicine
-- Beware of numbing the pain with overdoing of drugs or alcohol.
You don’t need to complicate this with substance abuse problems
-- Reach out-- people do care
-- Maintain as normal a schedule as possible, but don’t insist on normal levels of productivity
-- Spend time with others
-- Help your co-workers as much as possible by sharing feelings and checking out how they are doing
-- Give yourself permission to feel rotten and share your feelings with others
-- Keep a journal
Write your way through those sleepless hours. Later, if unwanted symptoms persist, journal writing is one of the very best forms of therapy and trauma resolution
-- Do things that feel good to you
-- Realize that those around you may be under stress
-- Don’t make any big life changes
-- Do make as many daily decision as possible, which will give you a feeling of control over your life (i.e., if someone asks you what you want to eat, answer them even if your are not sure)
-- Get plenty of rest
-- If there is media coverage of the traumatic event, limit how much TV you watch.
Do not spend all your time watching the sights and sounds of the disaster over and over.
-- Reoccurring thoughts, dreams or flashbacks are normal - don’t try to fight them - they’ll decrease over time and become less painful as you talk about the event
-- Eat well - balanced and light meals (even if you don't feel like it)
ways for family & friends to respond to your stress
-- Spend time with your traumatized family member or friend
-- Offer your assistance, and listening ear if they want to talk
-- Reassure them that they are safe, do whatever is necessary to help them feel safe
-- Help them with everyday tasks like cleaning, cooking, and caring for the family
-- Give them some private time
-- Don’t take their anger or other feelings personally
-- Don’t tell them that they are “lucky it wasn’t worse”
These types of statements do not console traumatized people
-- Tell them that you are sorry such an event has occurred and that you want to more fully understand and assist them
-- Offer your assistance, and listening ear if they want to talk
-- Reassure them that they are safe, do whatever is necessary to help them feel safe
-- Help them with everyday tasks like cleaning, cooking, and caring for the family
-- Give them some private time
-- Don’t take their anger or other feelings personally
-- Don’t tell them that they are “lucky it wasn’t worse”
These types of statements do not console traumatized people
-- Tell them that you are sorry such an event has occurred and that you want to more fully understand and assist them