How to Manage Stress after a Tornado

Stress Resilience

Our hearts go out to the people in Moore, Oklahoma after the devastating tornado tore through their city. The effects of tornadoes can be long-lasting and the resulting trauma can reverberate even with those not directly affected by the disaster. Many of us were at work and deeply affected when we heard about the disaster, and are struggling with how best to help and cope with our feelings and concerns.

It is common for people who have experienced traumatic situations to have very strong emotional reactions. Understanding normal responses to these abnormal events can aid you in coping effectively with your feelings, thoughts and behaviors, and help you along the path to recovery.

Compassionate and Mindful Disaster Relief

Many people already possess the skills of resilience and will bounce back on their own, given time. There also are a number of steps you can take to help restore emotional well-being and a sense of control following a natural disaster, including the following:

• Give yourself time to adjust. Anticipate that this will be a difficult time in your life. Allow yourself to mourn the losses you have experienced. Try to be patient with changes in your emotional state.
• Ask for support from people who care about you and who will listen and empathize with your situation. But keep in mind that your typical support system may be weakened if those who are close to you also have experienced or witnessed the trauma.
• Communicate your experience. In whatever ways feel comfortable to you, such as by talking with family or close friends, or keeping a diary.
• Find out about local support groups that often are available such as for those who have suffered from natural disasters. These can be especially helpful for people with limited personal support systems. Try to find groups led by appropriately trained and experienced professionals such as psychologists. Group discussion can help people realize that other individuals in the same circumstances often have similar reactions and emotions.
• Engage in healthy behaviors to enhance your ability to cope with excessive stress. Eat well-balanced meals and get plenty of rest. If you experience ongoing difficulties with sleep, you may be able to find some relief through relaxation techniques. Avoid alcohol and drugs because they can suppress your feelings rather than help you to manage and lessen your distress. In addition, alcohol and drugs may intensify your emotional or physical pain.
• Establish or reestablish routines such as eating meals at regular times and following an exercise program. This can be especially important when the normal routines of daily life are disrupted. Even if you are in a shelter and unable to return home, establish routines that can bring comfort. Take some time off from the demands of daily life by pursuing hobbies or other enjoyable activities.
• Help those you can. Helping others, even during your own time of distress, can give you a sense of control and can make you feel better about yourself.
• Avoid major life decisions such as switching careers or jobs if possible. These activities tend to be highly stressful.

Resources

The following resources for readiness, recovery and resilience might help if you are in a tornado-prone area. Additional resources are also available for earthquakes and other disasters on the websites listed. The information was gathered from the American Psychological Association (APA) Disaster Response Network, American Red Cross, FEMA, and the CDC.

Tornado Resources –  2013

APA Help Center

·         Managing Traumatic Stress: After the Tornadoes

http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/tornadoes.aspx

·         Tornadoes, Hurricanes, and Children

http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/tornadoes-kids.aspx

APA

·         Building Your Resilience

http://www.apapracticecentral.org/outreach/building-resilience.aspx

Red Cross

Recovering Emotionally

http://www.redcross.org/find-help/disaster-recovery/recovering-emotionally

Red Cross/FEMA

Helping Children Cope with Disaster

http://www.fema.gov/pdf/library/children.pdf

http://publications.usa.gov/USAPubs.php?PubID=3321

Centers for Disease Control Emergency Preparedness and Response

·         Tornadoes

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/tornadoes/

Ready.gov. Federal Emergency Management Agency

·         Tornadoes

http://www.fema.gov/hazard/tornado/index.shtm

·         Coping with Disaster

http://www.ready.gov/coping-with-disaster

About Dr. Maynard Brusman

Dr. Maynard Brusman is a consulting psychologist, executive coach and workplace expert. He is the president of Working Resources, a leadership consulting and executive coaching firm. We specialize in helping San Francisco Bay Area companies and law firms assess, select, coach, and retain emotionally intelligent leaders.  Maynard is a highly sought-after speaker and workshop leader. He facilitates leadership retreats in Northern California and Costa Rica. The Society for Advancement of Consulting (SAC) awarded Dr. Maynard Brusman "Board Approved" designations in the specialties of Executive Coaching and Leadership Development.

Dr. Maynard Brusman

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