While all this is going down, it’s important that we take care of ourselves and each other. This cluster focuses on just that — namely how to perform that care as well as how to avoid PTSD. You’ll be working on feeding people and keeping them hydrated and sanitary.
The folks who do well in this cluster tend to gain energy from providing care to others, while also maintaining strong boundaries around what they can and cannot provide.
There are lots of other ways to take care! Share them with us.
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Avoiding PTSD
By Willow and Jesse, and with thanks to Kara for their review. This article is not therapy, and Jesse is not yet a therapist. Most people experience stress when responding to a disaster. Everyone copes with the stress, and some people recover without stress injury. But responding in the field and helping from afar can…
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Self and Community Care in Crisis
We’ve all heard about self care at this point, and probably even have our own routines. However, when crisis strikes, it can be tempting to throw out your adaptive routines in favor of all the pressing work that surrounds you.
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Water and Sanitation
Prep extra water Fill up the bathtub and/or buckets with extra non-drinking water, just in case. Don’t drink it! Make sure you only drink water that’s safe! Drinking unsafe water can lead to gastric illnesses that could result in life-threatening dehydration. Pay attention to the authorities! They will let you know if water from the…
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Food Safety
Before you open your fridge during a power outage, make a strategy Only open the doors if absolutely necessary! Opening them lets the cold out. Focus on the fridge first, since that food is most likely to spoil. To keep things cold, consume the entire amount of food you remove from the fridge rather than…