Hurricane Ian was one of the worst natural disasters to come to Florida’s shores in decades. The aftermath of the category four hurricane has been nothing short of devastating. However, beginning to clean up the mess Hurricane Ian left behind is only part of the healing process.
On behalf of myself and my staff, I extend my sincerest condolences for the losses you may have suffered due to Hurricane Ian. If you are asking yourself, “How can I even begin to move on?” you are not alone. To find some answers, keep reading.
Be gentle with yourself
A natural disaster can take away so much from you. Your house, your car, your place of work, even your hobbies: these could have been altered and destroyed by the hurricane. Grief can come from so much more than the death of a loved one. Adapting to this new way of life in the aftermath of a natural disaster such as Hurricane Ian will take time.
Feelings of loss are completely normal during this adjustment period. I want to remind you that you are allowed to feel your grief, even if you “don’t have it as bad” as other people may. A loss is still a loss, no matter the size. Be gentle with yourself, now more than ever.
Do not be afraid to turn off your phone
For the rest of the country, Hurricane Ian is a story on the news or another headline on their phone. Living through such a highly covered news event is a surreal feeling. I want to give you permission to unplug from social media and stop reading the daily news.
Constantly seeing photos of the destruction caused by Ian, hearing news of the death toll, or simply reading news articles about the natural disaster is completely overwhelming. Consuming a ton of media surrounding the disaster is not going to help your mindset. This can increase your feelings of anxiety and even trigger flashbacks to the event.
Try to limit time on your phone, particularly scrolling through more bad news, during this time period. This way, you can focus on your own healing journey without constantly receiving more upsetting information.
Reach out for help
Millions of Americans were affected by Hurricane Ian. There are so many people who are in need of help but are too afraid to reach out for it. You do not have to suffer in silence. Consider exploring the following as options to receive help, whether physically, financially, or emotionally.
- Survivor support groups: Since Hurricane Ian, there are probably plenty of support groups that have popped up in your community. In a support group, you can talk to people with similar experiences and heal together. If you are unable to find one that meets in your area, try exploring online communities.
- Speak to a financial advisor: A very realistic side effect of a natural disaster is financial consequences. Try reaching out to a financial advisor to help you with the financial aspect of your loss.
- Talk to your loved ones: The stress and anxiety caused by the hurricane will want you to withdraw from your friends and family. Keeping a strong human connection is so critical in times like this. Be sure to maintain your relationships and speak with your loved ones often.
As a Floridian myself, my heart is with all the survivors of Hurricane Ian. If you are looking to speak with a trained professional to help navigate your feelings of grief and loss, look no further as I am here to help. You can schedule a consultation today for online therapy by using my contact form.