During a disaster, it’s easy to feel like everything is out of our control. Emergencies are stressful and that stress can overwhelm our ability to think, act and cope. It’s not unusual to feel anxious, scared, helpless and even hopeless about a situation.
But preparing today can help you stay calm if something bad happens tomorrow.
Stress affects our bodies and how we perform under pressure. When your body is under stress, especially for long periods of time, you may:
Focusing on everyday wellness and building your own resilience can help you manage stress and life’s challenges. Make sure you are:
Having these building blocks of wellness in your everyday routine will make it easier to cope if something traumatic happens. If stress is overwhelming you, reach out for help. Talk to your doctor or call/text 988 for confidential support 24/7.
Keeping your body calm helps your brain work better. Think about how you reacted the last time you faced an emergency. What emotions did you feel? What did your body feel? How did you calm yourself?
Knowing how you react to stress will help you feel prepared for whatever comes your way.
Take the time to prepare for the unknown. Doing these three things now can help you stay calm in the event of an emergency.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988
24/7 access to trained counselors who can help people experiencing emotional distress. If you or someone you know needs crisis support, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org/chat
SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
24/7 crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
211 Resource Line: 211
A local directory of information and referral services available 24/7. Call 211 or text your zip code to 898-211.
American Red Cross
Find a list of open shelters and disaster relief services