“Love and meaningful relationships are vital to physical and emotional well-being.” Deepak Chopra

Many people fail to understand that emotional well-being has potential to affect your overall health and well-being. In fact, mental and emotional stress can translate into adverse physical reactions, a weakened immune system, and overall poor health outcomes.

It is natural to feel stress, anxiety, grief, and worry during and after a disaster or pandemic. Everyone reacts differently, and your own feelings will change over time. It’s important to take notice and to accept how you feel.

Taking care of your emotional well-being during an emergency will help you think clearly and react to the urgent needs to protect yourself and your family.

Self-care and being proactive during an emergency will help your long-term healing.

Look out for these common signs of distress:

• Feelings of fear, anger, sadness, worry, numbness, or frustration
• Changes in appetite, energy, and activity levels
• Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
• Difficulty sleeping or nightmares
• Physical reactions, such as headaches, body pains, stomach problems, and skin rashes
• Worsening of chronic health problems
• Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs

It’s vital for you to learn how to manage your stress and take the action to improve your mental well-being. You can take the following steps to cope:

• Take care of your body– Try to eat healthy well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep. Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. Learn more about wellness strategiesexternal icon for mental health.
• Connect with others– Share your concerns and how you are feeling with a friend or family member. Maintain healthy relationships, and build a strong support system.
• Stay informed– When you feel that you are missing information, you may become more stressed or nervous. Watch, listen to, or read the news for updates from officials. Be aware that there may be rumors and misinformation during a crisis, especially on social media. Always check your sources and turn to reliable sources of information like your local government authorities.
• Avoid too much exposure to media and news– Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories. It can be upsetting to hear about the crisis and see images repeatedly. Try to do enjoyable activities and return to normal life as much as possible and check for updates between breaks.

References:

1. https://emergency.cdc.gov/coping/selfcare.asp
2. https://austinblog.heart.org/october-is-emotional-wellness-month/