Dealing with the News of Natural Disasters

Hearing about major earthquakes, wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters around the world can be distressful. As these situations worsen, many people—especially those near the affected areas—may feel stressed and anxious. This is completely normal.

How to support yourself & others

Use the suggestions below to support people or communities affected by a natural disaster.

Acknowledge your thoughts and emotions. It is common to experience a wide range of emotions following a disaster. Accept your feelings rather than telling yourself what you “should” be feeling.

Reach out to your family, friends, and community. Talk to trusted people in your life about how you are doing. If applicable, seek support from your community and faith-based resources.

Limit media consumption. Constant access to news and social media means that we can easily become overloaded by bad news. You might consider:

• not watching the news right before bedtime.
• leaving your phone in another room so you don’t check social media.
• setting a timer and limiting access to newsfeeds to certain blocks of time.

Identify what's in your control. Feeling helpless in overwhelming situations is normal but focusing on what you can do can be helpful. Ask yourself, “How can I most directly and positively make an impact?” Consider:

• donating to a credible relief organization.
• checking in on someone you feel concerned about.
• volunteering with a relevant cause or group.

Take care of your physical health. Remember to move yet be conscious of the air quality around you. Exercise doesn’t just help us feel better physically; it also helps our minds shift away from hard feelings. Try any movement that works for your body, eat healthy foods, and get enough sleep.

Be gentle with yourself. Know that you are not alone in experiencing strong reactions to these events. Give yourself grace if you have difficulty concentrating at work or keeping cool with your partner or kids. Ask yourself, “What’s one thing I can do to be kind to myself today?”

Seek out and use resources. Ask for support and help from the people, places and programs that are helpful to you. Check out our resource library and trusted sources pages. If you need professional help, request a counseling appointment.