We all respond to crisis in different ways. Some may respond with a strong emotional reaction, while others may feel detached, some with anger or sadness. Response to crisis is as varied as each of our personalities, yet most of us will usually feel quite disoriented in facing new realities and the need to make adjustments. Take a look through the common reactions after a traumatic event and keep tabs on changes you are experiencing. These are normal reactions, and will vary from person to person, event to event. However, if these symptoms persist and are having a negative impact on your life one month after the event, we recommend getting professional help.
There is no “right” way of responding in the aftermath of crisis. There are however, choices you can make to reduce the negative impact in the long run. Here are a few ideas for you to consider as you and your colleagues, friends and families move forward:
Ask for help. You may or may not feel the need for help. We recommend that you reach out to a trusted friend or a professional either way. Seeking help may mean that you overcome pride or scepticism for the sake of self-care. Processing the event mitigates the potential for delayed and cumulative effects of trauma and is a necessity in many humanitarian roles. If trauma symptoms persist for longer than one month, it’s time to get help. Connect. Relationships have proven time and again to be the most significant protective factor during crisis—and in life in general. You may have an impulse to withdrawal - this is an impulse to resist. Be intentional about connecting. Self-compassion. As noted, we all respond differently to trauma. Accept the way that you have responded and be kind to yourself. You may need to lower personal expectations, or decide not to fight the emotions inside you. Routine. Put one foot in front of the other. Begin establishing a new routine with familiar tasks. Are there ways in which you can simply “show-up” in providing some structure in your day. Move. Do something that gets you sweating and breathing. Aerobic exercise makes our brains release endorphins that can lighten your mood and give you fresh perspective. It has the ability to turn the body’s stress reaction down, making it possible to become more relaxed. Whether it’s yoga, running, walking, football, etc…give yourself the gift of exercise. Be aware of the quick fixes. Life after trauma is hard and it’s understandable that you may have needed some quick fixes e.g. alcohol, drugs, overworking etc. They may have served their purpose, but be mindful that their long term impact goes against your holistic wellbeing. We turn to quick fixes, often unconsciously, because facing the thoughts and feelings of loss and grief can be overwhelming. Most of us have our “go-to” tactics for escaping. These habits become exceedingly dangerous when they become normal and, in effect, prevent us from accepting reality and moving forward.
1 Comment
13/11/2018 08:30:07
Hi Fiona, great article! Written with compassion and insight.
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