How To Cope With September 11 Anniversaries

[janbear]

How To Cope With September 11 Anniversaries
From Cathleen Henning,

Anniversaries of traumatic events or loss may be especially difficult times -- for those who are still hurting and even for those who have been doing OK. Here are suggestions and tips for coping.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: Varies
Here's How:
Evaluate how you are doing. How is your job going? Are you sleeping OK? Do you enjoy your usual activities? Can you concentrate? Are you feeling irritable or having obsessive thoughts?

Ask friends/family what they think about how you are doing. Have friends noticed changes in you? Do they think you are improving or getting worse? Another perspective can be useful.

Seek help. You should consider talking with a professional if your feelings are interfering with daily functioning and/or enjoyment of your usual pursuits.

Seek support. Look for other people who have shared the same experiences, such as with a support group. Check local hospitals, newspapers, and mental health organizations for groups.


Spend time with loved ones. Try not to isolate yourself. Don't expect loved ones to solve all your problems, but try not to push away their comfort and love. Make time for fun activities, too.

Take control of what you read and watch. There will be much media coverage of 9/11 remembrance events. You don't have to watch all or any of it. Decide ahead of time what you will watch.

Take care of yourself. Get enough sleep. Exercise. Eat well. Stick to a routine. Lower intake of caffeine, nicotine and alcohol, if possible. Take care of your body to take care of your mind.

Focus on someone else. Volunteer -- whether with 9/11 charities or others. Look outward instead of inward for a while.

Write. Keep a journal of how you are feeling and what is happening in your life and the world. The possibilities for journaling are endless, but the benefits are positive for mind and body.

Understand that your feelings are OK. Grief, anxiety, depression, loneliness, anger -- they are all OK. You have many options for coping and working through these feelings.