Common reactions to a natural disaster:
- Recurring dreams or nightmares
- Trouble concentrating and remembering
- Feeling numb, withdrawn, disconnected
- Feeling bursts of anger or irritability
- Physical symptoms, such as headaches, digestive problems, muscle tension
- Feeling overprotective of your family’s safety
- Avoiding reminders of the natural disaster
- Feeling tearful or crying for no apparent reason
Ways to cope:
- Limit your exposure to the news
- Get accurate, timely information from credible sources
- Educate yourself
- Get into a normal routine,. This is especially important for children.
- Exercise, eat well, make sleep a priority
- Stay busy physically and mentally
- Communicate with friends, family and emotionally supportive individuals
- Lean into your faith
- Keep your sense of humor
- Use creative arts to express yourself and your feelings
- Talk and share your feelings with others
- Seek professional help, when needed
*Source: www.co.hunterdon.nj.us