First Aid for Psychological Trauma and Disaster Recovery

Psychological first aid training should be regarded an essential component of any emergency pack. When we think of an emergency kit, we usually think of items like emergency food, water, and shelter, all of which are critical for reacting to situations. However, learning psychological first aid is just as crucial in recovering from a crisis. Mental illnesses can develop as a result of a crisis. This essay will seek to illuminate realistic methods that everyone may apply to assist in disaster and emergency recovery.

Things that might assist or hinder your psychological healing.

Psychological first aid can help you get back on your feet after a distressing experience.  The following are recommendations for rehabilitation:

• Spending time with others or talking to another individual for assistance;
• Concentrating on something practical you can do right now to improve your scenario management;
• Distracting yourself with beneficial activities (sports, hobbies, reading);
• Practicing relaxation techniques (breathing exercises, meditation, calming self-talk, and listening to soothing music);
• Getting enough sleep and consuming nutritious foods;
• Taking part in a support group; attempting to have a regular routine;
• Moderation in exercise;
• Scheduling enjoyable hobbies, keeping a journal, taking pauses, and seeking therapy are all good ideas.

Detrimental influences, on the other hand, might have a negative impact on your mental health. The following should be avoided:

• Using alcohol or drugs to cope; 
• working excessively; 
• extreme avoidance of thinking or talking about the event or death of a loved one; 
• extreme withdrawal from family or friends; 
• violence or conflict; 
• not taking care of yourself; 
• overeating or failing to eat;
• doing risky things (driving recklessly, substance abuse, not taking adequate precautions); 
• excessive TV or computer games; 
• withdrawing from pleasurable activities; and blaming others.

Meditation

Meditation, mindfulness, and exercise are all effective methods for regaining mental health during catastrophes and calamities. All of them are tried-and-true mental health first-aid techniques.

Anxiety can be reduced using psychological first aid, such as mindfulness training. "Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) may have a favorable effect on anxiety symptoms for Generalized Anxiety Disorder," according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry (GAD). Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), which also prevents and relieves depression, can provide psychological first aid. According to the American Psychological Association, mindfulness has the potential to help those who are depressed. According to new study, practicing mindfulness can help people avoid recurrence.

Exercise

Many people benefit from exercise since it has been scientifically proved to give psychological first aid. Tai Chi, which has been demonstrated to prevent the negative effects of stress by lowering blood pressure, is one sort of exercise that has provided mental relief. Also, high-intensity aerobic exercise, which can boost vitality while lowering stress, weariness, and anger.

Though the focus of this post was on psychological first aid as a tool for mental health, you should also consider having an emergency kit on hand to protect yourself against physical harm. It goes without saying that having both covered will make you more resilient in the aftermath of any calamity.