2020 continues to be an extremely difficult year for most and an active hurricane season is another straw to the camel’s back in Louisiana. Hurricane Laura was devastating for southwest Louisiana and now Hurricane Delta is on track to strike the state. LSU Health New Orleans Clinical Psychologist Dr. Michelle Moore says understanding that an increased level of stress is a normal reaction is the first step towards coping.
“One of the important aspects it to make sure you’re preparing right now. So that preparation for a potential storm coming is still very important to be able to manage that stress,” says Moore.
Prepping for disaster and a storm’s failure to impact the state is another added stressor. But Moore says to decrease the anxiety you should always take action by preparing.
“That preparation process, doing something to prepare your property, can help reduce the anxiety because you are trying to actively change those anxious feelings,” says Moore
2020 has brought about multiple complex ongoing issues from COVID, to job losses, and political bickering. Moore says we should not forget that coping with hurricanes does incorporate a sense of finality.
“A hurricane does pass, so there will be an end to this system that’s coming thru, and the worry really comes in because there are so many unknowns to the hurricane,” says Moore.
Moore also recommends focusing on self-care during difficult times and to reach out to a professional for assistance with your mental health.
Reported by Brooke Thorington
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