23 Feb 2011
Maintaining your wellbeing after the earthquake
CONNECT
Now more than ever is the time to stay in touch with the people around you: family, whanau, friends, loved ones, neighbours. Everyone will have their own way of dealing with a crisis, and some will be experiencing grief. Talk, and listen. It doesn’t have to be about the disaster, although that may be all that’s on your mind. If you don’t feel able to talk, just being around people can be enough to help you stay connected – it does make a difference. Let the people in your life know that you’re there, even if it’s just your presence.
Pay particular attention to older people, children, people with physical impairments or disabilities and those who may be isolated; people who may have difficulty getting a clear idea of what’s happening around them – it’s incredibly important that we all stick together and feel connected.
GIVE
In the face of disaster and tragedy, a simple word like “give” might seem overwhelming. You may have lost people, treasures, and memories that are close to you. Focusing on the needs of others by giving your time, your words, your thoughts and your presence, may help you put your own losses to one side at least temporarily.
Give time and your help to others around you in the same boat, as much as you are able to, but don’t forget to include yourself and your own needs. We all have different skills and strengths – some of us are good with our hands, others are good listeners and great support people.
TAKE NOTICE
In the face of destruction, it may feel like you want to close your eyes and hide rather than take notice of anything.
But in the words of Skylight’s Tricia Hendry, who lost her husband to suicide, “I had to seek good moments in the middle of the horror. Giving someone a hug, or doing something with my children that was special. I knew that life had to be more than tragedy, and I had to do more than just survive.”
LEARN
Getting our city back on its feet again is going to mean working together, and there’s no better time than now to reach out and learn something new you can do to help that you’ve never done before. There can never be enough volunteers, and the challenge of achieving something – no matter how small – helps to maintain hope.
BE ACTIVE
We’re living on shaky ground - literally. Some areas are unsafe. But trying to keep physically active is an important part of staying well, keeping your mind active, and staving off the blues that come naturally in the face of overwhelming events like this. If it’s safe where you are, go for short walks or runs if that’s part of your normal exercise routine. Even if you’re not able to move far from where you are, there are a range of on-the-spot exercises you can do to help keep your strength and fitness up. Originally designed for use in classrooms, its application can be much wider.
