When a mass tragedy occurs, people react differently to what happened. Some are directly affected by the disaster, having lost loved ones or suffered harm themselves. For others, tragedy hits hard, causing feelings of grief and anxiety, even if they were not personally involved. If You Are Affected by Trouble If your loved ones have been affected by a tragedy, it is natural that you will be focused on getting them the help and support they need. However, in such a situation we must not forget about ourselves. Remember the "oxygen mask for yourself" principle: take care of your own well-being first so you have the strength to help others. Reach out to friends, family, or professionals for emotional support. Give yourself time to process your grief and don't rush yourself. Avoid excessive use of alcohol or other substances, as this can make stress worse. If disaster has passed you by If people close to you were not affected by the tragedy, you may still find it difficult to cope with its consequences. Constant media coverage of events can lead to bystander trauma when a person who is not a direct participant in the tragedy experiences psychological consequences while observing it from the sidelines. To protect against bystander trauma, it is important to minimize exposure to information about the tragedy. Limit watching the news and visiting social networks. Devote your time to activities that bring you joy and calm. If you are feeling depressed or anxious even though you have not been directly affected by the tragedy, do not hesitate to seek professional help. A therapist can help you manage your emotions and develop coping mechanisms for stress. General tips to help you cope with the aftermath of a tragedy: * Breathe deeply and consciously. Deep breathing helps calm the nervous system and reduce anxiety.* Focus on what you have.* Find support from people who understand your feelings. Remember that coping with the aftermath of tragedy is a process that takes time and effort. Be patient with yourself and don’t be afraid to ask for help if necessary. I work with this and other topics, provide psychological counseling, psychoanalytic psychotherapy, supervision. Sign up via WhatsApp message 8 (916)551-76-51