Its That Time of Year Again – Prepare Emotionally Too

I could be talking about the ravages of family Christmas gone wrong, again, but this time it’s about the annual rainy season. Already I’ve been hearing of the recent short rains triggering off anxiety and sleepless nights in people who suffered losses in the floods earlier this year. If this is you, seek professional help now.

When the media are replaying the terrifying images of Nature out of control it’s easy to be mesmerized by the horror, absorbing more and more until you feel overwhelmed, totally inadequate, and perhaps even guilty that you are still living your normal life. Feeling overwhelmed hardly puts you in a strong position to help yourself and those who need you, does it?

So, what to do?

1. First step is to take back control, so turn off the TV, radio and stop reading the dramatic newspaper reports. You already know how bad it was, and any significant new information you’ll hear from those around you.

2. Second, reassure yourself you’ll know what to do if it happened to you. Write out 2-3 plans of emergency evacuation.
(1) If you find your home alight – ensure you and your family know to stay low (under the smoke) and go go go (get out immediately). Even very young children can be taught this. Ensure locked windows and doors can be unlocked or removed from the inside in a hurry.
(2) If a flood, cyclone or bushfire was approaching, know your plans of action. What safety items do you need to have e.g. wet towels, battery radio, drinking water & food, fully charged mobile phone & charger, torch, emergency contact numbers, protective clothing, taped windows. At what point do you evacuate? Where and how will you go? Etc.

3. Check your insurance cover is up-to-date, and it covers what you think it does.

4. What you don’t know, FIND OUT. Taking action and planning means you’ll stop feeling helpless, and will be able to be there for yourself and your family, in the unlikely event you face that situation.

5. Children Your children could also be feeling the same emotions, and it’s even more important they aren’t immersed in horror images, particularly with sound. Even babies who are too young to process the images on TV pick up on the emotions of those around them. Be aware people handle stress, heavy emotions and hot weather in different ways, and it’s easy to get snappy and irritable with children who seem to be misbehaving, but who can be simply acting up for attention and feel noticed and therefore secure. Everyone needs reassurance that they are safe and loved.

Remember, you don’t have to struggle alone with anxiety, sleepless nights and stress, simply ask for professional help and get your quality of life back. Life is too short not to.

(c) Sue Lester, 2011. Sue Lester, BA. DipTeach. Master Practitioner NLP, Hypnosis, Results Coach. Head Transition Coach at Growing Content Pty Ltd Ph 07 3103 2679 or 0428 128 679 www.growingcontent.com.au