Coping - Women

Its only natural that women will handle a disaster differently than men will, after all we rarely handle anything the same way. However our natural disposition and role puts us at greater risk for difficulty in dealing with trauma and the effects of a disaster. But these things can also be our greatest strengths in over coming the trauma and finding a full recovery.

Some things to consider:

• Widowed women will have increased needs both emotional and temporally as their normal schedules, routines, and lifestyles change drastically.
• Women usually have a better social support network than men. Keep friends and family close, they will help you emotionally and physically to recover.
• Remember that trauma makes the basic jobs that you were able to accomplish easily before much more stressful and difficult. Accept that you can’t handle what you were able to before hand, and gradually move toward your old routine. Be gentle with yourself and take care of yourself as well as you do your family. Practice cutting yourself some slack. Being your own worst critic is a habit that will not help you in a disaster.
• Be sure to have something that you find relaxing and enjoyable in your 72 hour kit. Be sure to take the time to relax. As mothers we often get wrapped up in caring for everyone else and forget that if we burn out than we are unable to care for anyone. Practice taking the time to relax now, so you actually know how then.
• As women we are the nutures and leaders of our family, and may very well be left home to man the fort. There is also an increased likelyhood that we could be the lone caregiver if our husbands are unable to get home due to road disruptions. Add this eventualaty to your family emergency plan.