The Mental Fatigue of a Natural Disaster
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:
- Allow yourself time to grieve. No matter how emotionally strong you are, these types of events take their toll on everyone.
- Monitor your children. They too are affected and may not know how to deal with it.
- Seek out professional help when you need to.
- 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.
- Try and get plenty of rest. In fact, you may find that you need more rest than normal as you are mentally exhausted.
- Eat well and nurture yourself. We get physically ill when we ignore our own needs.
- 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.
- It is OK to cry! Let it out!
- Talk to others. Hearing from friends and family can really help.
- 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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