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Disaster Preparedness, Physical and Spiritual Basic information on tips on how to prepare for natural disasters and how to nurture the self and others in the aftermath. Part Two. Spiritual Concerns in the aftermath following a disaster: Being physically prepared is a must, but being spiritually-equipped to handle a natural disaster is as equally important, for both adults and children. Here are ways to sooth a spirit in turmoil: Adults: Even adults are traumatized by the loss of possessions, routine, basic necessities. Expect a certain level of stress and anxiety, and that it could manifest in different ways--headaches, sleeplessness, nightmares, restlessness, outbursts of anger, grief, weeping, etc. Remember that it is normal to be affected after a disaster Remember that you can regain a sense of control if you work at it. The grief associated with the loss of home and possessions is similar to the grief felt when losing a loved ones. It’s not just the loss of brick, wood, and stone, it’s the loss of identity, continuity, security, and emotions and memories tied to possessions. It may be hard, but try to dwell on the positive instead of the negative. Accept the help that is offered by family, friends, neighbors, and community. Asking for help is being strong. Denying help for your family is not being proud, it’s being selfish. Find ways you can be pro-active, assertive, useful, to help restore your sense of control and ability. This may include making phone calls to agencies, calling family and friends, going shopping for groceries or clothes, doing favors for neighbors--tasks you can master. Remember that everyone copes in their own way. Some are silent, some cry, some want to be alone, some want to talk a lot, some are angry, some act as if nothing significant happened… Talk about your feelings with family and friends. Don’t blame yourself for something you could not control. Try to maintain your normal routines as much as possible. Include rest, exercise, proper nutrition, and socialization. Devise a family emergency plan, to re-establish a sense of control. Remember that the anniversary of the event can recall powerful emotions of grief and loss. Be aware of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder following a disaster. If these feelings persist--restlessness, inability to pay attention, emotional outbursts, nightmares, flashbacks, sweating, hyper-vigilance, pacing, headaches, stomach aches, mood swings, depression, fear, tears, guilt, self-doubt, and avoidance of crowds, people, or being alone--consider seeking professional counseling. There are mental health counselors who are trained to talk to victims of trauma and disasters. Children: Children are as affected by disasters as adults, yet lack an adult’s understanding or capacity for expressing emotions regarding them. Encourage children to talk about the disaster. Let them feel what they feel. Try to explain that natural disasters won’t happen to them every day of their lives; that they are rare in the life of one person. Hold them and comfort them when they cry. If they choose not to talk about the incident, don’t force them, simply let them know you are available if they would like to talk about what happened. Children are curious creatures and ask a lot of questions. If you don’t know the answer to some of them, then say “I don’t know, some questions seem to have no answers.” Be aware of the time they spend watching news coverage of the event on TV. Continuous footage can trigger nightmares and may give them the idea that the disaster is continuing. Even if you didn’t have an emergency plan before, make one with the children now. It will give them back a semblance of control they lost, the sense of being pro-active instead of passive victim. Encourage them to draw their feelings or let them express them during play. Help them to list the positive things around them and to see the good that is in the world. Allow for some temporary behavior changes like nightmares, regression to more infantile behavior, wanting a security item, wanting sleep with you. Consider counseling if nightmares continue or a child’s behavior dramatically changes. Counseling is likely to consist of a combination of conversation, art therapy, and play therapy. Remind them that you as their parents are there for them and that you love them. Teens: Be aware that teens may not say exactly what they feel, but may act out their emotions through radical behavior, angry outbursts, and in the extreme, even turn to drugs or alcohol. Encourage them to have a positive attitude and count the many uplifting parts of their lives. Remind them that powerful emotions will subside with time, and that what they are feeling is normal. Inform them that counseling is available should they not seem to “bounce back” after a reasonable period of time. Let them know you are available to listen to them anytime they want to talk. Reassure them that you love them. Faith: When disaster strikes, faith may be the last thing on our minds, but it could be the only thing left to hold on to. If you have faith, lean on it, because it may be the only thing to see you through. A crisis is sometimes the perfect time to take stock of our spiritual self--what we believe, what we need, what is important to us. Know that floods, earthquakes, ice, and landslides can destroy the physical, but the spiritual is eternal--which may become broken, but with time, love, and gentleness, can be restored again as well. *** Regardless of the type of disaster we are faced with, preparation is the key to survival. For more information, please visit: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
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First Aid and Emergency Topics
