Be Prepared for Disaster: Become Emotionally Strong Now

According to a study by CoreLogic, about 1 in 10 homes were impacted by natural disasters in 2021. Some states are more prone to disasters than others with Texas, California and Oklahoma topping the list. The number of natural disasters each year is growing. We know the physical preparations we should take to protect lives and property from fires, floods, hurricanes and tornadoes, but how about emotional preparation? How can we best prepare ourselves inner self so we are ready if disaster strikes?

A new book, Phoenix Rising - Surviving Catastrophic Loss: Fires, Floods, Hurricanes and Tornadoes, Amazon, by Dr. Noelle Nelson looks at the emotional strengths we need so we can better recover from sudden, traumatic events.

"We need to ask ourselves, if my home were destroyed tomorrow, how would I mentally and physically go on, what would be my first steps?" asks Nelson. "It's better to know the answers to these questions now, not after the unthinkable happens."

Nelson speaks from experience. She lost her Malibu home in the fires that ravaged southern California in 2018.

Nelson suggests identifying what she calls "anchors" in your life. "Anchors are the activities that connect you with your community and give your life purpose and meaning," says Nelson. "They could be work, participation in social or spiritual organizations, exercise, volunteering--those activities that enable you to engage in life emotionally."

She explains that while losing your home in a disaster takes away "things," you cannot allow a disaster to take away your purpose. "Continue, as much as possible with your pre-disaster anchor activities. Your purpose (or multiple purposes) will give you the focus and inner strength even when all physical things are lost.

"Of course, you will be faced with dealing with insurance companies, finding a new place to stay and reacquiring the bare essentials, yet when you have focus and purpose, you'll find the inner strength to rebuild not only your home but your life. You'll still be traumatized but you will have the resolve to move on."

Nelson says "people" anchors helped her after the fire that destroyed her home. "Many of your family and friends will want to lend support," says Nelson. "Let them help. Even strangers came up to me to lend a hand. Despite what we hear and read, there are many good people among us. Their generosity, especially in times of trauma, strengthened my faith in humanity."

The upside to preparing emotionally before a disaster occurs is the benefits it brings to our "normal" lives. "Studies show that those people with purpose live longer, healthier lives, no matter what obstacles are thrown their way," says Nelson. "That's a very powerful place to be."

Phoenix Rising is available in paperback, audio and on Kindle.

To watch a short video of why Nelson wrote Phoenix Rising, go to https://bit.ly/2X0LJui.