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WAYS TO COPE
AFTER A TRAUMA
There is no one right way to cope. Each person has unique strengths and vulnerabilities. |
| DO: |
- Relax and rest
- Eat nutritiously
- Exercise
- Get more than enough
sleep
- Talk about what
happened
- Write about what
happened (journaling, letters, e-mails)
- Laugh when you can
- Set small goals
- Keep some sort of
routine
- If safe, stay in
familiar environment
- Spend time with those
who are supportive and helpful
- Cry if you can
- Pray
- Sing or listen to
music
- Educate yourself
about traumatic reactions
- Anticipate difficult
times to come
- Search and find
perspective and meaning in the event
- Ask for help
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| DON’T: |
- Make major decisions
- Set up an active
travel or speaking schedule
- Drink alcohol
- Drink caffeinated
drinks
- Take sedating drugs
(i.e., valium, sleeping pills)
- Talk publicly about
sensitive details soon after trauma
- Make broad
generalizations about yourself, future, others
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