ATLANTA (AP) \u2014 Hurricanes, wildfires, floods and other extreme weather can also kick up storms of anxiety.<\/p>\n
Thankfully, there are several ways to reduce that stress, according to mental health experts who have helped people who have experienced disasters. One of the most important things to do is have a plan, they say.<\/p>\n
\u201cPreparation is always one of the most powerful tools that I can imagine \u2014 not just for safety, but also for mental health,\u201d said Ruben Juarez, a health economist at University of Hawaii professor who directed the Maui Wildfires Exposure Study<\/a>, which looked at health and social impacts of the deadly 2023 fires<\/a>. <\/p>\n And when the disaster is over, they say, try to restore a sense of normalcy by seeking out support, returning to routines and helping others.<\/p>\n Kevin Westmoreland, who co-owns The Corner Kitchen in Asheville, North Carolina, learned meditation techniques and breathing exercises to deal with the stresses that the restaurant industry can present. When the remnants of Hurricane Helene<\/a> unleashed torrents of rain on the state two years ago, water and mud poured into the restaurant and \u201ceverything was tossed around inside the building as if it was in a blender,\u201d he recalled.<\/p>\n \u201cAll you could do to get through it is try to take a breath and move forward, step by step,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Plan ahead for unpredictable weather<\/p>\n One way to ease anxiety is to prepare as best you can ahead of time, including hashing out a plan<\/a> for what to do during a disaster.<\/p>\n Making an evacuation plan and putting together an emergency kit can provide a sense of control, said Melissa Brymer, a psychologist and director of terrorism and disaster programs at the UCLA-Duke National Center for Child Traumatic Stress<\/a>. <\/p>\n She recommends a step-by-step guide for families at ready.gov\/plan<\/a>. The American Red Cross also has extensive guides for hurricane preparedness<\/a>. Make sure to consider special preparations for anyone with disabilities, special needs, new mothers and expectant mothers<\/a>, Brymer advises. Also make sure that pets are included in disaster plans.<\/p>\n Weather is unpredictable, so it helps to accept that there are things you won\u2019t be able to control. <\/p>\n This article is part of AP\u2019s Be Well coverage, focusing on wellness, fitness, diet and mental health. Read more Be Well.<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n Being informed can also give people a sense of control in extreme weather. Focus on facts by gathering information from trusted sources and stay up-to-date on weather watches and warnings.<\/p>\n