Living Well in Uncertain Times
Uncertain
Times
As the threat of terrorism on U.S. soil increases, you might notice that
your anxiety level has increased as well. You might be wondering how real
this threat is and how it impacts your daily life. The truth is that no
one can predict what will happen, but there are several concrete actions
you can take to increase your preparedness if an emergency should occur,
and to decrease your anxiety in general. How much or how little you do
is a personal decision and completely up to you.
The American Red Cross recommends having a disaster plan in place. A disaster plan should include the following:
- An emergency communications plan in which one person is designated as the contact person whom family members can call or email to check on each other should an emergency strike. This contact should be located far enough away from you that the likelihood of their being directly affected by the same emergency would be minimal.
- A disaster supplies kit that contains essential supplies such as food, bottled water, first aid supplies, medications, change of clothes, money, battery-powered radio and extra batteries. Essential documents would include birth/marriage certificates, insurance policies and a copy of your will.
- School emergency plan for any school-age children to determine if the school will keep the children or send them home in the event of an emergency. Make sure the school has updated contact information for parents and caregivers.
- Contingency plan for pets so you can guarantee their care and safety in the event that you are evacuated from your home and cannot take them with you.
You can find more detailed information and other recommendations for safety and preparedness on the Web site for the American Red Cross.
Living Well
An increased threat of terrorism can create a sense of uncertainty about
the present and the future. You may be experiencing some strong emotional
or physical reactions to this uncertainty including fear, anxiety, anger,
depression, fatigue, problems concentrating and headaches. These are normal
reactions to stressful situations. Although you may feel that many things
are out of your control, there are several actions you can take to alleviate
these reactions, and to gain more control of your personal situation.
- Spend time with the people you care about. The events of Sept. 11th have resulted in many people re-evaluating their priorities. Spending more time with family and friends can be comforting and reassuring.
- Exercise. Anxiety and other stress emotions create adrenaline in the body, making it difficult to feel peaceful and calm. Exercise effectively replaces adrenaline with endorphins, the body’s natural antidepressant. So take a walk, go to the gym, and work up a sweat.
- Create serenity. Many people are turning to yoga and meditation to quiet the mind and gain a sense of peacefulness. Even deep breathing exercises, done at your desk or while commuting to work, can help to quiet the mind and release tension.
- Limit your exposure to the media. Most people want to be informed, but there is a limit. Watching a disturbing broadcast over and over again will only increase your anxiety, and move you away from serenity. This is especially true for young children who have difficulty understanding that they are watching repeated video coverage, and may think the event is happening again and again.
- Make time for fun. Pleasurable activities will renew your spirit and distract you from upsetting thoughts.
- Reconnect with your faith. Participating in religious or spiritual activities helps some people gain perspective and feel connected to something much larger in life.
You can find other information and tips on the Web sites of the American Psychiatric Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
When to Seek Help from the EAP
The above suggestions should help you to feel more in control of your
feelings and environment. However, you might find it helpful to talk to
one of the counselors at the Employee Assistance Program at Mount Auburn
Hospital, especially if you experience any of the following:
- You are finding it difficult to function in your normal routine.
- You are using alcohol or drugs to erase thoughts from your mind.
- You are having trouble sleeping.
- You are concerned about how a family member is coping with the uncertain times.
If you would like to speak to a counselor, call the Employee Assistance
Program of Mount Auburn Hospital at 1-800-888-5105 or 617-868-4489.
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