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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Reach out to others. They do care and want to help.
• Maintain as normal a schedule as possible.
• Spend time with other people.
• Help your family members, roommates, and friends by sharing your feelings with several people.
• Keep a journal and stationary handy; write your way through those sleepless nights. Try writing poetry or fiction, too.
• 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.
• Realize that those around you are also under stress. Try not to take angry outbursts personally.
• Minimize making big life changes (other than those that are really necessary).
• 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).
• Get plenty of rest. Allow extra lying down time if you know you are having difficulty sleeping.
• Learn one or more new relaxation techniques - yoga, meditation, progressive relaxation, etc.
• Remember to use the relaxation techniques you already know (hot milk with honey).
• 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.
• Take care of pets or plants. Keep your connection to the living and the daily routine of caring for something.
• 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.
• Find your sense of humor. How about a contest for funniest “Prime Minister” cartoons?
• Help others who have been affected by the critical incident.
• Bake bread (all kneading is a great release and the bread tastes great, too)
• Keep in touch with your support network all around the world - all the people who love you are worried about you.
• Phone friends whom you know live alone: check in on them, listen to them, and share this information.