COPING WITH UNEXPECTED AND UNIMAGINABLE CATASTROPHE

Catastrophes such as what happened with the Baltimore bridge collapse disrupts and dismantles everything we thought was safe and secure. It causes us to pause and survey everything around us. For some it exacerbates fears and phobias. And for others we cling on close to our loved ones expressing gratitude while praying for those impacted by such unexpected tragedy.

Many may be wondering what they can do our how to cope.

Below are several ways to cope with a catastrophe:

1. Acknowledge and Accept Emotions: Allow yourself to feel and express various emotions, including sadness, fear, anger, or confusion. Accepting these feelings as natural responses to the situation can be an essential first step in coping.

2. Maintain Routine and Structure: Establishing and sticking to a daily routine can provide stability and control during upheaval. Focus on completing small tasks and maintaining regular habits as much as possible.

3. Limit Media Exposure: While staying informed is essential, consuming excessive news coverage or social media updates about the catastrophe can increase anxiety and distress. To protect your mental well-being, set boundaries on media consumption.

4. Connect with Support Systems: For emotional support and companionship, contact friends, family members, or support groups. Sharing experiences with others who understand can provide comfort and validation.

5. Practice Self-Care: Prioritize self-care activities such as getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, exercising regularly, and engaging in relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation. Taking care of your physical and mental health is crucial during challenging times.

6. Focus on What You Can Control: Identify aspects of the situation that you can control and take proactive steps to address them. Directing your energy toward actionable solutions can help reduce feelings of helplessness and empower you to make positive changes.

7. Seek Professional Help if Needed: If distress persists or interferes with daily functioning, consider seeking support from a mental health professional. Therapy, coaching, or counseling can provide coping strategies, emotional support, and guidance in processing traumatic experiences.

Kinyatta E. Gray writes about grief and loss, and is the founder of The Heart of Miss Bee, Inc, Flights In Stilettos, and InHer Bliss Life Coaching. Gray has design and released over 20 guided and blank journals for women, teens and men.