Asian businesswoman stressed while working long hours using laptop in office

Providing Support During Troubling Times

News of a violent or crisis events in the world may increase stress and make people feel unsafe. As a manager, you may wonder how to provide support to your staff. It is important to acknowledge your team’s emotional reactions to the situation. These may vary from person to person, and could include: Shock or…

Ambulance crew preparing casualty

Coping with Trauma for First Responders

Even seasoned first responders may struggle with their reactions to a traumatic event. Common responses include: Shock because they can’t believe that what happened is real. Helplessness because they were unable to change the outcome. Sadness about the event and compassion for affected individuals, families, and loved ones. Anger over the event and the actions…

Close up of an unknown African-American man's claspling hands with the elbows leaning on his knees

Coping with Trauma

Each of us has different ways of coping with a traumatic event. It is impossible to predict how you, your loved ones, and others may react. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to feel. Common feelings after a traumatic event include: Shock because you can’t believe that what happened is real. Helplessness because…

Woman suffering anxiety attack on city street

Reactions to a Traumatic Event

When people are exposed to highly intense and distressing situations, a variety of reactions may occur. You may experience traumatic feelings regardless of where you were when the event occurred. In addition, your reactions may be impacted by past experiences with trauma.    Common reactions after first hearing the news include:  A sense of paralysis  …

Asian young businessman stress sitting in front office with his hands covering his head against.

Coping with Survivor’s Guilt

Survivors guilt occurs after a traumatic event, such as a disaster, accident, combat, or other life-threatening situation. Some people may experience survivor’s guilt because they survived the incident, avoided major injury, or had limited or no property damage while others did not.   Survivor’s guilt can manifest in a variety of ways, such as:  Persistent guilt.…

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First, Do No Harm: Addressing Trauma in Critical Incident Response Without Retraumatizing Webinar

Please enjoy this free webinar from Empathia and Bob VandePol. Sometimes critical incident response must address events that involved personal danger for participants or first-hand witnessing of troubling images. How can the CIR consultant balance individual needs to tell stories they can’t tell anyone else vs reducing risk of activating horror within others? This session…

Shot of a young couple going through paperwork at home

Creating a Spending Plan

If you wonder where the money has gone at the end of the month or wish you had more left over after you pay your major bills, it may be time to create a household spending plan (or revise your current plan). Here’s how:  Track your expenses. If you are already doing this, good for…

Digital Payment App Safety

New technology inevitably results in new ways for scammers to steal your money or personal data. Digital payment apps are no exception to this rule. These strategies may help you protect yourself from possible risks: Use a trusted app. New payment apps are popping up all the time. Stick with those that have an established…

Incorporating Kindness into Your Daily Routine

Being kind to others can make you feel good. But did you know that kindness has measurable health benefits?  Research indicates that being kind improves a person’s self-esteem and mood. In addition, kindness has physical effects, including decreased blood pressure and stress levels. Being kind, it turns out, can help you stay healthy.  The best…

Young woman having flue taking thermometer. Isolated against yellow background. Beautiful young woman is sick with a high temperature, a thermometer, isolated close-up. Cold, flu concept.

Preparing for Flu Season

Influenza (or “the flu”) is a viral respiratory infection of the nose, throat, and lungs. Up to 20 percent of the population is infected with the flu each year, and thousands of people are hospitalized. These facts will help you plan ahead for flu season: Respiratory flu is highly contagious. Symptoms, which typically begin within…