After the Boston Marathon…
All of us in the Boston area are still recovering from the shock of the events at the Boston Marathon yesterday. Despite the devastation I have been warmed by the generosity of the vast majority of the people in the world. The true colors of goodness, caring, and support shine through during the darkest moments.
I am in a helping profession. My colleagues are helpers. And my clients are often guilty of giving too much of themselves to others. So it is at this time that I’d like share a gentle reminder that you cannot give from an empty well. Take good care of yourself. Did you know that during times of high stress and anxiety our hunger cues become hard to hear? You may need to eat a little more mechanically during this time. You may need a little more fuel, a little more water, a little more rest, a little more quiet time.
So as you attend to the needs of others, as so many of you do, don’t forget about taking good care of yourself. Below are some resources that may be helpful to you.
Coping with Disaster
http://www.ready.gov/coping-with-disaster
Managing traumatic stress: Tips for recovering from disaster and other traumatic events
http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/recovering-disasters.aspx
Taking Care of Your Emotional Health After a Disaster
http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4240142_EmotionalHealth.pdf
Recovering Emotionally
http://www.redcross.org/find-help/disaster-recovery/recovering-emotionally
Distress Helpline (24/7 phone and text)
http://disasterdistress.samhsa.gov/about.aspx
Building Your Resilience
http://www.apapracticecentral.org/outreach/building-resilience.aspx