October 2007
Wildfires: have we seen to much? Dealing with this current crisis
Dear Friends around the County
As we have been facing the fires over the past few days, I wanted to offer my support and a few reflections.
I have found myself being drawn to watch more and more of the news broadcasts. After all it is helpful to be informed in a time of crisis. As I was watching yet another update I suddenly realized that my muscles were clenched and I was feeling tense. I began to feel more and more distressed.
In an effort to manage our emotional health, how do we balance the need to talk about this tragedy and to stay informed while drawing boundaries so that we don’t feel overwhelmed and out of control.
Here are some things that can be helpful:
- Keep up your exercise, even if it means stretching at home.
- Drink plenty of water and eat fresh food.
- Reach out to loved ones to both offer and receive support. Times of crisis are an opportunity for letting people know how valuable they are to us.
- Find a way to make a difference, albeit through praying, volunteering or donating.
Support for children:
- Limit media exposure - conversations and media are saturated with talk and images of the fires
- Stick together and have special family times, this offers a distraction and provides new memories to replace the fear
- Share lots of hugs
- Come up with an action plan together to prepare for future crises
- Talk about what is happening, keep it honest, but keep it simple
- Maintain consistency in routine and don’t let the fear take over
- Find ways to be active in making a difference, like writing notes and drawing pictures
- Give lots of reassurance
- Recognize your own level of anxiety, because your children are aware of it.
Behavioural changes to watch for:
- Fear and anxiety
- Regression
- Changes in sleeping and eating
- Depression, isolation, sadness
- Refusal to attend school
- Clinging to parents
- Jumpiness or edginess
- Always talking about or acting out a disaster
- A decrease in academic performance
- Increase in physical complaints
- Teens may show their emotion indirectly, watch for self-destructive acting out, they may also act out angrily towards loved ones
My hope is that this email finds you and your loved ones safe, and your homes intact. My heart goes out to those of you who have suffered loss in these fires.
Blessings,
Kathryn