 You're reeling. Sad and restless. Anxious, agitated and angry.
You don't know what to do or where to go. Your thoughts are racing, heart pounding and you may even feel hopeless about your future. "How can this be happening AGAIN!?! "WHEN will this stop??" "I don't know how much more of this I can take!" You NEED to do something but you don't know what. You don't even live in Las Vegas and you're in the front seat of an emotional roller coaster. Even though you're thousands of miles away from the epicenter of destruction, you're still grieving. I'm here to tell you it is OKAY. What you are experiencing is NORMAL. It's really hard as a human being to not be affected by such an horrific event, even if you haven't experienced it directly. You don't have to be in the center of it all in order to feel something. We are ALL affected by what we see and hear on television and social media...what we hear when we listen to a loved one talk about their experience...it's all around us, all the time. Everyone is grieving, processing, and each in their own way. Some may feel very sad and fight the urge to stay in bed when they are expected at work. Some feel intense anger and struggle to express their emotions in healthy ways. Others process their experience in a much more private and covert way. Maybe you can't even tell what someone is feeling when you interact with them. All of this is okay. We all handle difficult situations in our way. The important thing to remember is that no matter what you;re feeling, emotionally, physically and spiritually, the ways in which you help yourself are paramount. Healthy strategies like breathing exercises, yoga, keeping a journal, etc, can be great for working through your experience. Different strategies work for different people, so experiment with a variety and see which ones are most helpful! Do your best to keep away any judgment or expectation about how you "should" be feeling. What you feel is what you feel. Give yourself time; there is no rule that dictates how long you "should" be feeling what you feel. Notice what you're experiencing...mind, body AND soul! Give yourself permission to take breaks when necessary and set healthy boundaries around how much media exposure you have. Have compassion for your body and treat yourself with unconditional love.. REMEMBER! Support is here if you need it! Please do not hesitate to reach out to me or another licensed therapist. We are here to help. You are not alone! ''If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of self harm or suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for immediate assistance.
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