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It’s been an incredibly stressful week. Whether you live locally in Los Angeles, have family here, or are just watching events unfold on the news, this has been a challenging time. Thousands of acres have burned in the L.A. fires, and we’re still not out of the woods yet. So how do we navigate the stress we’re experiencing? You don’t need more advice that’s already painfully obvious. As a trauma therapist here in Los Angeles, let me share my perspective on navigating your mental health during this trying time.
Safety First
Always prioritize your safety. You cannot do anything else until you find security. Seeking safety is, in fact, the first stage of any trauma therapy. You cannot begin to unpack emotional burdens until the threat is over. First and foremost, make sure you are in a safe location, that you have a roof over your head, and that your basic needs are met. Ensure you have access to emergency resources, just in case you need them. Then, surround yourself with emotional safety. Lean on the friends and family you can trust.
We Lose and We Win
Having lived through 9/11, I can share that good can come out of tragedy. We see people come together to help one another in ways they typically don’t. Just witnessing these acts of kindness is uplifting and gives many of us a sense of hope. We live in bustling cities where we rarely take time to notice strangers. It’s wonderful to see how we step up for one another when times are tough. You can still feel angry; this isn’t fair—to you or anyone else. We’re not here to sugarcoat anything. But it’s also important to take a moment to recognize the positive impacts.
Letting Go of Control
Events like this remind us how little we control. None of us could have predicted this fire. If anything, this tragedy serves as an important reminder that future tripping and doomsday planning are pointless. We lose so much joy to worrying about the future, and it’s hard to remember that day-to-day. But events like this remind us just how crucial it is to live in the moment. We know that worry is the thief of joy, but it’s easy to dismiss that wisdom on an average day.
Lower Your Standards
You don’t have to maintain your productivity; in fact, you shouldn’t. I encourage you to give yourself permission to be less active over the next few days. You can get less done, eat more junk food, and spend more time scrolling through your phone. My point is that during stressful times, you don’t have to hold yourself to an impossible standard. It’s perfectly okay to notice your output and temporarily decrease productivity. Giving yourself permission to do less will alleviate any guilt you might feel later when you find yourself unable to be at your usual level. So give yourself that gift now.
Get Help Now—Not Later
My best advice is to talk. Talk to a professional, talk to a friend, or talk to anyone you trust. We know that the best way to mitigate PTSD is to begin processing a stressful event as soon as possible. Can you imagine what would happen if soldiers could process the stress they experience while deployed? Instead, people are typically forced to hold in their feelings and only seek help when they develop more severe post-traumatic symptoms, such as panic attacks. You don’t have to wait. If you’re not already in therapy, begin now. If you’re not entirely ready to commit to seeing a therapist, share your feelings with those closest to you.
Trauma Therapists in Los Angeles
If you haven’t already sought mental health support, I highly encourage you to do so. You can learn more about trauma therapy modalities here. I’m happy to provide referrals to any mental health resources you might need. You can contact me directly to schedule a free consultation. I can also connect you to pro bono programs offering both group and individual support in the coming days. Again, it makes a world of difference to process stress as you experience it. So please don’t delay. Stay safe, everyone, and we’ll get through this together.