Dealing With Traumatic Events

It's everywhere in the news...
everytime you pick up the paper, turn on your radio, or switch the television on...there are traumatic events that cannot be explained.
Plane Crashes
Car Accidents
Murders
Suicides
Shootings
Hate Crimes

We may think that we have become numb to all of the possible threats and dangers in life, and because we are still in college in an (lets face it) ideal environment, we think that we are invincible. But what happens when something bad happens? What happens when it is your school that falls victim to mass shootings? Your friend who kills himself? Your mom who overdoses on prescription pain pills?
What then?

I guess instead of asking why these things happen, its best to just find a solution that works.
How do we deal with such pain, helplessness, and horror?

If you are struggling with events that happened last week or traumatic events that you went through as a child...there are some things that you can do to deal.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

• Breathe – slow and deep abdominal breathing.


• Maintain regular exercise.


• Moderate intake of fats, sugar, caffeine, alcohol and smoking.


• Keep a regular sleep schedule as much as possible.


• Schedule your time and meet as many of your usual commitments and activities as possible.


• Take time to be alone in order to listen to yourself.


• Don’t withdraw for an extended period of time.


• Avoid overextending yourself in your work or in new commitments.


• Be aware of your feelings and talk about them with others.


• Transfer the energy of anger into productive activities within your community.


• Ask others directly for what you need and want.


• Help others.


• Pray, meditate, spend time in nature, or do whatever suits your belief system and allows you to connect with something larger than yourself.

Just remember that it is normal to grieve, question, and have strong feelings. Embracing them and understanding them is what's important.

More Questions about dealing with Traumatic Events? Visit http://ccvillage.buffalo.edu/vpc.html