How Nature and Community Can Help Heal Mental Health After Natural Disasters

Nov 7

Traumatic events from natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados, floods, landslides or other catastrophes that stem from climate change and other circumstances can take years for individuals and communities to heal from. Reigniting your connection with nature and your community members can restore balance in your mental state and give you an outlet for what you’ve experienced.

Here are some tips for harnessing the power of your surroundings to cope following the impacts from natural disasters.

Disaster Experiences Can Lead to Trauma

Experiencing a disaster firsthand can sometimes lead to trauma that has a lasting impact. Some people who get exposed to terrifying events, lose their homes or loved ones develop mental health conditions that affect their daily life and relationships. Many often experience generalized anxiety disorder, substance use, depression, adjustment disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Anyone can become a victim of a natural disaster. Therefore, understanding how to move forward is the only way to protect, cope and heal your mental health.

Tap Into Nature’s Healing Power

Green environments offer everyone a safe space for healing. Here are some strategies you can try.

1. Get Close to Nature

Find nature wherever you are. If you live in the city, visit a nearby park, beach and community garden. Being outdoors can help you reduce depression and decrease the risk of relapse. Additionally, the vitamin D your skin absorbs helps regulate your sleep and recharge your battery so you can accomplish your daily tasks.

Modern lifestyles have weakened the innate connection between humans and nature. Sometimes, it takes an unfortunate incident to remind people of their oneness with the Earth.

2. Practice Earthing

Earthing is the idea of walking barefoot through the ground, which has been scientifically proven to be an effective remedy for healing emotional trauma. Others may also refer to this as "grounding."

When your sole touches the earth, its free electrons — which act as natural antioxidants — enter the body and neutralize the free radicals causing inflammation. Moreover, a 30-40-minute barefoot walk can regulate the insulin function of people at risk of diabetes, speed up wound healing, lower hypertension and boost sleep.

Grounding diverts negative emotions and can improve one's outlook on life after a traumatic experience.

3. Try Shinrin Yoku

Shinrin yoku means "forest bathing" — a popular Japanese practice that allows people to soak in the benefits of nature to boost their emotional and mental well-being. Trees and plants release phytoncides into the air, which are chemicals that protect themselves from insects. They’re bad for forest predators, but these plant-derived compounds are a natural elixir for humans.

Inhaling them activates the body's natural killer cells that eliminate disease-causing pathogens, boosting your immune system. One instance of a forest bath can have effects that last for 30 days. Immerse your senses in the forest to cope with stress after a disaster.

4. Bring Nature Home

A small garden may be nothing compared to a forest, but pots of herbs and flowers are great mediums to reignite your link with nature. Touch the leaves, smell the flowers and take a look at the plants to soothe any stress you may have.

Find Support in Your Community

The power to heal from trauma can also come from others. The people around you can be your source of strength and resilience. Here are things you can do to build your support system and reconnect with your community after a negative event..

1. Join Support Groups

Offline or online, support groups offer a space where you can discuss your day-to-day challenges without the fear of being judged. You can learn how others who have been through the same experience work with their trauma. Furthermore, sometimes, all you need is someone who understands where you're coming from to make you feel better.

2. Participate in Volunteer Opportunities

Whether volunteering at a community garden or participating in an ocean cleanup, meaningful activities provide a healthy avenue to channel your emotional distress. When you're up to your neck with negative thoughts, you tend to overlook important things in life, such as your health and the presence of your loved ones.

Joining volunteering programs, such as cleanup or restoration groups working to build back better after a disaster. Working on a joint effort that helps your community return to a new normal can open your perspectives to a more optimistic view and encourage you to be grateful for what you still have despite the tragic event. It's one of the best ways to overcome trauma and do meaningful work simultaneously.

3. Connect With Loved Ones

Your family is a fundamental support system for coping after natural disasters. Some people who experience a traumatic event detach themselves from others and disengage from their social activities.

Negative emotions are normal and valid, and you may feel on guard all the time. However, don't isolate yourself from people who can help you. Maintain connections with your family, friends and neighbors. They can provide the emotional support you need to rebuild and restart your life in a more hopeful, inspired way.

Practice Self-Care

Forget others' advice about self-care and do the things that bring you joy. It doesn't have to only be well-known self-care activities like yoga or meditation if you don't find them meaningful. If you feel like walking your dog or eating at your favorite restaurant will make you smile, do it.

Additionally, your responsibilities don't stop after a disaster. You may postpone your obligations briefly, but you have to get back to them eventually. Couple self-care with positive lifestyle habits to ensure you're in the best physical health and headspace to do what you need to after rebuilding.

Get enough sleep — it's vital for physical health. Exercise can also increase your resilience after a traumatic event and reduce tension, anxiety, depression and PTSD. Finally, treat yourself to nutritious and delicious food. You deserve it after what you've gone through.

Additional Coping Tips After Natural Disasters

Here are other tips to support your mental and emotional healing:

Avoid triggers: Don't read the news or watch TV if they increase your anxiety or make you relive the event. Taking a social media break may help.
Refrain from making major life decisions: Delay significant transitions like changing careers, as they can be harder to manage.
Be patient with your recovery: Understand that healing takes time.
Adopt a pet: Dogs and cats give unconditional love to their owners. They can be your source of daily inspiration and joy.
Ask for help: Don't bottle it all up. Seek help if you find your situation too overwhelming instead of turning to substances to cope.

Coping After Natural Disasters Is Challenging

Tragic events can be a moment that steers your life in a positive or negative direction. Choose to heal from your trauma by tapping into the power of nature and the support of the people around you.

You’re not alone. While you can rely on your own strength to cope with pain, know when to ask for help. Two heads are often better than one when surviving life’s biggest challenges.

Sea Going Green works with hotels, resorts and tourism operators, providing environmentally-minded strategies and developing sustainable tourism activities that immerse guests in nature, while also incorporating traditions, locally-sourced products and wellness practices into offerings, enabling guests to experience nature and its restorative benefits.

Want to know more? Get in touch.