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This week on Health Watch, we’ve been talking about preparing for and responding to disasters. Having a plan and preparing for a potential disaster will help you and your family weather the crisis. But even a disaster that doesn’t strike you directly can be stressful when you see constant news coverage of death and destruction. How do you cope?
Patrick Tiner, a disaster response expert at UT Southwestern Medical Center, says it’s easy to get a case of information overload with all the news outlets available today. Having information gives us a sense of control, but it can also create stress. Stay informed, but don’t become obsessed. Try to stick with your daily routine. You can feel more in control by creating your own plan for dealing with a disaster and by thinking about safety precautions you could take. You could also make a charitable donation to an organization helping the affected area.
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September 2007
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