Restorative Community Concepts
Creative Ways of Taking Care of Yourself
Note: These suggestions are not all possible for everyone right now, but you can look forward to them.
Exercise! Periods of strenuous physical exercise alternated with relaxation will alleviate some of the physical reactions. Long gentle walks are also a nice way to relax, spend some time alone, and release tension.
Take a hot bath or shower.
You are normal and having normal reactions. Don’t label yourself (or others) crazy, bad, or weak.
Talk to people - talk is the most healing medicine.
Structure your time. Keep busy. Try not to cancel previous plans, especially events you were looking forward to. The trauma doesn’t need to take these away from you.
Maintain as normal a schedule as possible.
Spend time with other people.
Reach out to others. They do care and want to help.
Beware of numbing the pain with overuse of alcohol or other drugs; you don’t need to complicate your life with a substance abuse problem.
Do make as many daily decisions as possible. This will give you a feeling of control over your life (i.e. if someone asks you what you want to eat, answer them even if you aren’t really sure).
Realize that those around you are also under stress. Try not to take angry outbursts personally.
Draw, paint, or do another creative activity, especially if you are not “artistic”. Do not be upset if you create powerful or disturbing art. Share the results with a friend or ten.
Do things that feel good to you, when possible.
Minimize making big life changes (other than those that are really necessary).
Keep a journal and stationary handy; write your way through those sleepless nights. Try writing poetry or fiction, too.
Help your family members, roommates, and friends by sharing your feelings with several people.
Learn one or more new relaxation techniques - yoga, meditation, progressive relaxation, etc.
Get plenty of rest. Allow extra lying down time if you know you are having difficulty sleeping.
Reoccurring thoughts, dreams, nightmares, and flashbacks are normal - don’t try to fight them. They will decrease over time as your mind comes to terms with your experiences.
Remember to use the relaxation techniques you already know (hot milk with honey).
Garden, go hiking, plan an outdoor trip, play in the park - maintain your positive relationship with the physical earth. It can bring pleasure and relaxation.
Count backwards from ten to zero before saying something in anger or responding sharply to others.
Rent all your favorite old movies and hold a sleepover.
Take care of pets or plants. Keep your connection to the living and the daily routine of caring for something.
Keep in touch with your support network all around the world - all the people who love you are worried about you.
Help others who have been affected by the critical incident.
Find your sense of humor. How about a contest for funniest “Prime Minister” cartoons?
Phone friends whom you know live alone: check in on them, listen to them, and share this information.
Bake bread (all kneading is a great release and the bread tastes great, too)