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The Mental Fatigue of a Natural Disaster

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Beam & Branch Realty TREC #547752

The Mental Fatigue of a Natural Disaster

Texas Storms

I haven't posted in quite some time as the north Houston area that I live in has been completely inundated by just storm after storm after storm. After the first few storms we all just hunkered down knowing it would all end soon. Unfortunately, the storms have continued in such a relentless way.

 

The already saturated ground cannot take any more. Last night another whopper dumped an additional 8 inches on us and we watched the ditches, streams and roads fill up in an amazing time frame. This morning we awoke to more severe storms with a huge one on the way.

 

The story after story of tragedy and loss are difficult to hear. As we all brace for yet another round, you can see the fatigue on the faces around you. Just as many began their clean up, they are flooded out again.

 

There is mental fatigue and exhaustion setting in. How to deal with it is essential. Listening to your body is key. 

 

Here are a few tips when dealing with the mental exhaustion after a natural disaster:

  1. Allow yourself time to grieve. No matter how emotionally strong you are, these types of events take their toll on everyone.
  2. Monitor your children. They too are affected and may not know how to deal with it.
  3. Seek out professional help when you need to.
  4. Diversion such as pitching in to volunteer to help others is an excellent way to take your mind off of you own crisis. Amazingly, being around others that you are able to help is extremely healing.
  5. Try and get plenty of rest. In fact, you may find that you need more rest than normal as you are mentally exhausted.
  6. Eat well and nurture yourself. We get physically ill when we ignore our own needs.
  7. Through the storms, hang on to the things in life that you are grateful for. Re-focusing your thoughts can do a world of good.
  8. It is OK to cry! Let it out!
  9. Talk to others. Hearing from friends and family can really help.
  10. Don't lose hope. Hang on to your faith, your friends and your family!

Sending love and hope to all of those people in our area and around Texas who have been dealing with this for over a month now. Hang in there, sunshine is in the forecast for next week. Be safe!

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Comments (35)

Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

It's terrible to see on the news. Good luck Paula & stay safe.

Jun 02, 2016 05:16 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Mental fatigue comes in all sizes, shapes and forms and natural disaters are a major stress factor, that's for sure.  Sorry to read this post, but recognizing how to process does help.  Be well Paula McDonald 

Jun 02, 2016 06:31 AM
Lisa Von Domek
Lisa Von Domek Team - Dallas, TX
....Experience Isn't Expensive.... It's Priceless!

Although the Dallas area has been hit hard, those of you in the southern part of our state have really been (literally) under water.  We are all praying for some sunny days...hang in there Paula McDonald

Jun 02, 2016 11:06 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

So sorry to hear, Paula. It must be dreadful in many ways! No matter what, be safe!

Jeff

Jun 02, 2016 11:50 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Paula- I've been speaking to my family in Houston almost daily and my thoughts are with all of my fellow Texans.  Your advice is spot on, especially reaching out to others that may be in need. 

Jun 02, 2016 01:25 PM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

A scary looking map, and I am sure it is worse on the ground.

i like your list of ten tips.

Jun 02, 2016 01:37 PM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Hi Paula, I'm sure mental and emotional fatigue are hitting people in your area hard. If ever there was a time to treat yourself gently, it is now. 

You've shared to good tips along that line.

Wishing you well.

Jun 02, 2016 02:22 PM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Good morning Paula.  It has been awhile, I can imagine you have been busy dodging all the floods.

Jun 02, 2016 07:26 PM
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

Stay safe you guys - and hopefullly your tips will help! Thanks for sharing Paula McDonald 

Jun 02, 2016 08:29 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I hope things will be back to normal soon. Thank you for sharing the tips. 

Jun 02, 2016 09:38 PM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

It is feast or famine it seems with rain in Texas. Stay positive and safe!

Jun 02, 2016 11:45 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Wow 8" in one night is a lot of water. I think you are right about diversion - helping others helps the one doing the helping. I hope things clear up soon.

Jun 03, 2016 04:18 AM
Beth Atalay
Cam Realty and Property Management - Clermont, FL
Cam Realty of Clermont FL

Paula, I was just watching the weather channel and saw what you're referring to, hang it there. 

Jun 03, 2016 07:58 AM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Paula McDonald time is the biggest remedy for such things.

And yes, hang on to your faith.

'This too shall pass!'

Jun 03, 2016 01:35 PM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Paula, I'm sending a big hug, although it sounds like you need sunshine a lot more.  And you are making me feel like a huge crybaby for whining about the rain we're getting up here. And you're supposed to get even more!  Hang in there.

Jun 04, 2016 02:52 AM
Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes - Kansas City, MO
Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area

A very heartfelt post!  Mother Nature really hit a lot of places hard this spring--Europe too!  Thanks for the tips

Jun 05, 2016 11:54 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Such wise advice.  So sorry for your situation there in Texas.  I have a daughter in Dallas, but she's in a high rise, so watching from up above.  Still, we're from Kansas and supposed to be used to this stuff!  

Jun 07, 2016 02:23 PM
Jerry Lucas
ABC Legal Docs LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Notary Training, Consulting. Colorado Springs, CO

Stress management is needed in times of crisis.  

Hoping for better weather for your area.  Stay safe.

Jun 09, 2016 02:15 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This is good advice to share.

I hope all is going well for you this summer.

Jun 28, 2016 11:35 PM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

As you know, we had a horrific flood with 23 fatalties so far. It is very stressful for all of us. I have a family staying with me until they get some housing.

Jul 05, 2016 01:44 PM