Common Emotional Reactions

6/29/2020 (Permalink)

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Losing a home can cause significant emotional distress. You should not underestimate the challenge of evacuation, relocation, and rebuilding after a fire.

It is common for people to experience several stages of adjustment including shock, anger, depression, and hopelessness.

Recovery and coping

In the middle of a crisis, it can become difficult to take care of yourself with so many other worries occupying your mind.  Some self-care strategies you may want to consider are:

• Practicing proven stress-reduction techniques, such as regular exercises, meditation, and deep breathing.
• Allowing yourself to feel bad, cry and release negative emotions in a healthy manner.
• Giving yourself permission to feel good. You can have periods of joy even when coping with loss.
• Making small decisions daily to feel in control of your life once more.
• Putting off major life decisions, such as switching jobs, if possible.
• Lowering your expectations of what you “should be doing.”
• Not isolating yourself too much. Spending some time with people is healthy in recovery.
• Talking about your ordeal with friends and family.
• Taking advantage of community support.
• Focusing on what you are thankful for despite your loss.
• Getting plenty of rest when possible and maintain a normal sleep/wake cycle.
• Eating well-balanced meals.