Tornadoes, flooding and ice storms are a part of life here in the heartland, but that doesn't mean these aren't stressful events. Stress is how the brain and body respond to threats or challenges. Although everyone feels stressed from time to time, feeling anxious during stormy weather can be overwhelming.
However, it's important to remember that you are not alone.
In fact, not all stress is bad. Why? Because it can motivate us to prepare. Preparation enhances resilience and can help reduce the feelings of stress. Here are some tips to help you increase your and your loved ones' physical and emotional resilience.
Prepare
Both scientific research and common sense have shown that the more you prepare for an event, the less anxious you will be and the better you will perform. Here are some tips to prepare for severe weather.
Have a plan:
Build an emergency kit. Make sure you include important paperwork for everyone in your home. Don't forget supplies for your pet(s)!
Know the emergency plan of your children’s school or daycare.
Fill up your vehicle's gas tank.
Get the facts:
Listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio or television newscasts for the latest information. In any emergency, always listen to the instructions given by local emergency management officials.
Be alert to changing weather conditions.
Make sure your weather radio is turned on.
Reach out to your children:
Be calm and supportive. Find out more about how to strengthen your children’s emotional well-being both before and after a storm by downloading Help Kids Cope (Free for Android and Apple devices).
Encourage your children to learn more about the weather by playing games or other activities. For example, visit:
Consider watching/listening to weather alerts in a separate room if possible.
Prepare your mind and body:
Learn to recognize when you or someone you care about is showing signs of feeling anxious or stressed. Recognizing these signs early and doing something about them, can help you and others reduce the chances of becoming overwhelmed during bad weather. Some of the signs could be:
being easily irritated
feeling depressed
experiencing unexplained body aches and pains
Engage in self-care. Eat healthy, exercise, get enough sleep and take time to do activities you enjoy.
Practice relaxation techniques to reduce stress and promote calm. These techniques are particularly helpful in preventing or short-circuiting panic attacks.
Social support is related to emotional well-being and recovery after a disaster. People who are well-connected to others are more likely to be able to handle the stress of a crisis.
Work to maintain and strengthen your social support network. This includes family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, hobby or club members, church members and clergy.
The benefits of social connectedness include:
Increased opportunities for knowledge essential to disaster recovery
Do what you can to prevent further damage to your property (put a tarp on a damaged roof) as insurance may not cover additional damage that occurs after the storm.
If your home doesn't have power, use flashlights or battery-powered lanterns instead of candles to prevent accidental fires.
2-1-1 Oklahoma: 2-1-1 Oklahoma is an easy-access system for information and referral to community services for those who need help and those who provide help. Visit their website here.
Want Help With Upsetting Feelings?
Welcome to PTSD Coach Online: Tools to Help you manage stress.
Would you like help managing your stress? PTSD Coach Online is for anyone who needs help with upsetting feelings. Trauma survivors, their families, or anyone coping with stress can benefit.
What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?
PTSD is a condition that can develop after you have been through a trauma. After the event, you may feel afraid and nervous. You may have upsetting thoughts, memories, or nightmares of the event. You may feel numb or cut off from other people. You may also avoid things that remind you of the event. These symptoms can disrupt your life, making it hard to continue with your daily activities. If these feelings or experiences don't go away over time or they get worse, you may have PTSD.
How can PTSD Coach Online help me?
PTSD Coach Online has tools for coping with sadness, anxiety, and other symptoms that people who have been through trauma can develop. Some tools are brief and can help you relax when you feel stressed, or improve your mood, for example. Longer tools teach you how to tackle difficult problems, change thinking patterns, and take steps to achieve your goals.
Who can use PTSD Coach Online?
PTSD Coach Online is for anyone who needs help with upsetting symptoms like depression, anger, or trouble sleeping. PTSD Coach Online was created with trauma survivors and their loved ones in mind, but anyone who is looking for help coping with these symptoms can turn to PTSD Coach Online.
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