The Impact of September, 2001

It's very likely that many of us will suffer more intense flues and colds this coming winter season because of the stress we experienced after the September 11 terrorist attacks. Collectively, our immune systems have suffered a major attack and, as a result, we are more vulnerable to minor and even major illnesses.

It is possible—and important—to protect yourself by taking some extra time in the next couple of months to recover from the emotional stress that was generated on 9/11.

The ideas listed below are not new nor are they startling. They are simple, good common sense. It's easy for anyone to dismiss the impact of September 11 especially if not physically close to New York City or Washington, D.C. So, most people are likely to think they don't need any extra care. If you want to save yourself some illness time this winter, however, you definitely should consider more of the following activities.
 

• Get a massage, or several massages.
• Make sure you are eating very healthily.
• Spend time with people who are important to you. Don't use work as your escape mechanism.
• Don't attempt to hide from your feelings. Denying your emotional state takes a lot of emotional and physical energy and will deplete your immune system.
• Take several small breaks, weekend breaks. 
• Sleep more than usual if you want.
• Give yourself permission to laugh. 
• Reach out to others and talk about the event until you don't want to talk about it any more. I remember a tee-shirt that appeared some time after the 1989 earthquake. It read, "I don't want to know where you were at 5: p.m. on October 17." That was probably a healthy sign that we had all told our stories enough times!


Janelle Barlow, Author
The Stress Manager

Previous "Stress Management Corner" pages:
 
 

#1	New Approaches to Job Stress
#2	If Exercise Works as a Cure...
#3	Headaches! The Most Common Complaint
#4	Eight Glasses a Day!
#5	How Well Does Zinc Work?
#6	Intense Emotions Can Kill You
#7	Sleep!
#8	Job Stress and Compensation Claims
#9	Job-Related Stress
#10	Losing Weight - It's Not Easy!
#11	Food Supplements - How Necessary?
#12	Stress and Change
#13	Depression Among the Elderly
#14	Spirituality and Your Health
#15	It's Cold Season Again!
#16	A Positive Attitude is Important
#17	Power of Laughter
#18	More Laughter and Stress Management
#19	Go for a Massage!
#20	Aspirin: That Little White Pill
#21	Aging and Self-Conception
#22	Worker Stress Increasing
#23	Back Pain
#24	Kava: The Natural Cure for Anxiety
#25	Oxidative Stress Theory
#26	Yet Another Cause of Fatigue
#27	Can Too Much Iron Be Bad for You?
#28	Tea: A Magical Potion?
#29	Sleep, Social Attitudes & Individual Needs
#30	Proof: Walking Reduces Heart Disease
#31	Anger and Heart Attacks
#32	Impact of Relaxation on Cancer
#33	The Elderly and Social Support
#34	Women and Stress
#35	The Stress That Accompanies Success
#36	Childhood Events and Adult Reactions
#37	Your Tongue Isn't Always the Best Judge
#38	Water Exercise and Arthritis
#39	Avoiding Stress on the Phone
#40	Depression, Stress, and Heart Disease
#41	Cell Phones and Children
#42	Support Groups and Your Health
#43	If Physical Exercise...Then Why Not Mental Exercise?
#44	The Beneficial B's
#45	How Much Sugar Are We Consuming?
#46	Yet More on Jet Lag
#47	Iatrogenic Disease: Medical Errors
#48	More Evidence About Benefits of Walking

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