(NAPSA)—For many, the emotional aftermath of a disaster, such as a hurricane, can hit hard. The immediate shock and the energy used to cope are gone, but we are still left with our grief, www. healthywomen.org stress and anxiety. If you feel this way, you don’t have to suffer in silence. What you are feeling has a name—posttraumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. The good news is that there are ways you can take control and restore your sense ofself. Experts at the National Women’s Health Resource Center offer the following tips: Eliminate substances that may affect your mood, such as nicotine or caffeine. Exercise regularly. Take care of yourself, with healthy meals and adequatesleep. Restore your normal household and daily routine as much as possible. Choose a routine that is positive, constructive and gives you a sense of personal control. Know that painful feelings happen even to people who are resilient enough to recover from trauma. Use optimism and believe in yourself. Have faith in your ability to cope, and view the future with hope. Maintain or build good relationships with supportive family members or friends. Accepting help graciously and providing help to others through your church or National Women's Health Resource Center @ Experts say there are several ways to cope with stress after a disaster strikes. community groups are two good ways. Remember: Intense feelings of anxiety, stress, fear and grief soon after a life-altering traumatic event are normal reactions to a very abnormalsituation. The way you're feeling is natural, unless it doesn’t get better after one to six months. If you have problems with anxiety or PTSD, reaching out to the help you have available is positive and healthy. A health care professional can help you obtain an accurate diagnosis and refer you for therapy if necessary. Since the late 1980s, the National Women’s Health Resource Center, Inc. has helped millions of women educate themselves about the health topics that concern them the most. To learn more, visit the Web site at www.healthywomen.org.
