9-11 10th Anniversary | 5 Tips To Cope With Grief | Turn off the TV
Do you remember where you were when those planes struck the World Trade Center? Did you know someone that worked in the Twin Towers? Did you lose a loved one or a friend? Do you still have feelings of grief or post traumatic stress symptoms every time you see replays of the trade center burning and collapsing to the ground?
The 10th Anniversary of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks on the U.S. stirs up much emotion. People vividly remember where they were when they heard the news of planes crashing into the twin towers in New York, the attack on The Pentagon, and the crash of United 93. What can people do to cope in the aftermath of something so terrible? Families are still grieving the loss of their loved ones, and friends continue to grieve the loss of friends. Americans, who used to feel safe in America, now fear travel, especially by plane, and some have developed a generalized fear they deal with on a daily basis.
As we face the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attack, here are some tips to cope:
1. Seek support: Talking with other people is the best strategy for helping yourself feel better. Connection with others helps.
2. Turn off the news: Watching replays of airplanes hitting the towers may stir up old memories and traumas! Stress weakens the immune system, and reliving the terrorist attacks may re-traumatize some people.
3. Rest: Drink plenty of liquids, follow a healthy nutritional plan and exercise.
4. Know that grieving is a process: It cannot be rushed. Numbing with substances will only delay the grieving process. The process can take years, so cut yourself some slack.
5. Re-frame the date: Since most of us associate the date with something negative, you can choose to create something positive. For example, there is a nationwide initiative to volunteer or do something positive on 9/11 in an attempt to take something tragic and make some sort of good out come of it, i.e.www.911day.org.
If you are reliving past hurts or suffering from recent trauma please consider talking with a counselor specializing in trauma. The most effective short term therapies for PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is a counselor trained in CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), EFT (Emotion Freedom Techniques), or EMDR. Call someone today to start the healing!
