Hurricane Harvey was one of the most devastating storms to hit the San Antonio area in decades. The flooding affected thousands of people, including many older adults who may have been left without food, water, or power for days. While it’s important to stay safe after a disaster like this, it’s also important that you don’t let stress get to you during recovery time. Here are some tips on how to cope with post-hurricane stress in San Antonia, TX:
Take Time To Rest
When stress levels are high, you must be sure you’re taking time for yourself.
It’s important to make sure that you get enough sleep each night. The American Sleep Association recommends 7-9 hours of sleep per night for adults, but everyone is different! If you need more or less than this amount, don’t feel like it means there is something wrong with you; it just means that your body has a specific rhythm that is right for you.
If it seems like a daunting task to rest at first, try these:
- Create a nighttime routine: Go through the same steps every night before bedtime so your body knows what’s coming next and can relax into sleep mode. For example, take off any makeup or jewelry if possible (if not possible due to safety concerns), shower and wash your face if needed/desired (this will help remove germs from around your eyes), brush your teeth thoroughly without rushing through the process (to reduce plaque build-up throughout the day and prevent tooth decay), then read an enjoyable book before turning out lights.
Talk With Someone You Trust
In order to cope with the stress, it’s important to talk about your feelings and experiences. If you’re feeling anxious or scared, try talking about it with someone who can help you work through your emotions. If you aren’t comfortable doing this on your own, consider seeing a counselor or psychologist.
If you don’t feel comfortable discussing your feelings with anyone else, journaling can be an effective way of expressing yourself in a place where no one will judge you or make fun of what you have written down. This can take some time for some people to get used to, but once they start keeping their journals regularly, they often find that writing out their thoughts and feelings helps them figure them out more easily than talking about them initially.
Get Involved By Helping Others Through A Volunteer Program Or Other Activities
Volunteer work or other activities are a great way to get involved and help others. Helping others can make you feel good about yourself, especially if you have been struggling with the stress of living through the storm. Volunteering may not be possible in all cases, but it is something that you should consider doing if possible.
Eat Nutritious Meals
The first step to managing stress is eating a balanced diet. You should eat regularly and make sure your meals are made up of various foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Avoid junk food and fast food as much as possible; these foods are often high in fat and sodium — which can strain the kidneys — or sugar, which causes tooth decay. Additionally, avoid too much caffeine or alcohol because both cause dehydration (which contributes to stress), and neither helps you relax.
Conclusion
We hope this article has provided you with some helpful tips on coping with post-hurricane stress in San Antonio, TX. If you or someone you know needs help coping with post-hurricane stress, call us today at 210.840.8000 for an appointment. We offer counseling services by phone or in person.
