Healing Emotionally from Catastrophe – Episode 466

I wanted to take some time today to talk to those of you who might be feeling anxious, insecure, and overwhelmed after the recent wildfires here in Los Angeles. I know many of you are dealing with loss, uncertainty, or just the emotional aftermath of everything that’s happened. It’s a lot to process. I also want to speak to anyone out there that has gone through anything like this, whether it’s a natural disaster or some other catastrophic experience.

I have to be honest with you, I almost hesitate to speak about this. I personally can’t imagine what it would be like to lose your home, your business, or even worse, someone you love—whether that’s a friend, a family member, or a pet. These kinds of disasters—whether it’s fires, hurricanes, earthquakes, or anything else—can be incredibly devastating. They can leave you feeling like the ground has disappeared from underneath you. It can feel like everything is happening way  too fast, and you’re struggling to keep up with it all.

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But here’s the thing: even if you haven’t lost your home or business, the emotional weight of this disaster can still be very real. Just the idea of having to evacuate, or seeing the devastation on the news, can trigger anxiety. It’s hard to watch people go through something so massively destructive, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed just by witnessing it all either in person or over the media. You might feel like you want to help, but you’re also dealing with your own emotions. And that’s okay. It’s also ok to take care of you first.

I wanted to speak today because I want to offer what I can to support emotional healing.  There are many resources online for things like insurance help, finding aid, and getting your life back to some sense of normalcy, but today I want to focus on how to begin to heal emotionally from something so catastrophic.

Let’s start by acknowledging something really important: Most of us aren’t prepared to handle something like this. Disasters of this scale are shocking, unexpected, and completely unimaginable until we’re right in the middle of it. The overwhelming feelings that come with it—whether it’s anxiety, grief, loss, or all of it combined—can really knock us down. But it’s okay to feel overwhelmed. It doesn’t make you weak, it makes you human.

When we’re overwhelmed, it’s like our minds go into a sort of trance or fog. It’s not the kind of trance that’s therapeutic like hypnosis, but the kind that makes it hard to think clearly, to process what’s happening, and even to know what to do next. We can get stuck in the loop of catastrophic thinking, where everything feels like it’s falling apart and there’s nothing we can do about it.

There might be moments of intense grief, anger, confusion, and depression. The emotional rollercoaster can be unpredictable—one minute, you might feel like you’re doing okay, and the next, the sadness or anxiety hits you again. You might even experience physical symptoms: sleepless nights, headaches, stomach aches, or muscle tension. For many people, trauma like this can lead to PTSD, which is something we can’t ignore.

So, what do we do? How do we manage all these emotions and take care of ourselves during such an overwhelming time?

The first thing I want to say is:

Prioritize your mental and physical health. This is not a time to repress your feelings or pretend that everything is fine. It’s okay to feel what you need to feel. Allow yourself time to sit with your emotions, even if it feels uncomfortable or like there’s no time for it. I know it can feel like everything is urgent, but healing isn’t linear. You might have good days and bad days. That’s normal. And if you’re struggling, be patient with yourself. This is hard stuff.

If you have loved ones around, whether it’s a spouse, children, or even close friends, make sure to check in with them regularly. Keep your relationships close. It’s easy for communication to break down during this kind of emotional turmoil, but connecting with your loved ones can bring a sense of grounding. Even if you don’t know what to say, just being present, being together can make a big difference. When people offer help or try to give advice or ask you questions, don’t be afraid to say, “I can’t think about that right now,” or “I need a moment.” You don’t have to have all the answers, and it’s okay to say that.

On the flip side, don’t isolate yourself either. Yes, you might need some alone time to process things, but remember:

Healing happens best in community. You’re not alone in this. Others are going through similar struggles, and connecting with others—whether in person, over the phone, or online or in groups—can bring comfort. It’s important to share and listen. Sometimes just talking about what you’re going through can lighten the load, even if just a little bit.

Take things **one step at a time**. There’s a lot that needs attention in the aftermath of a disaster. Whether it’s insurance claims, finding a place to stay, or figuring out your next move, it can feel like there are too many things to handle. But you don’t have to do it all at once. Break it down. Prioritize what needs to be done today and leave the rest for tomorrow. Don’t get overwhelmed by thinking about “everything you need to do.”

If you’re feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, hopelessness, or anxiety, ask for help. There’s no shame in seeking out support. This is the time to talk about what you’re feeling. Let it out. Journaling can be a great way to release pent-up emotions and gain some distance from your thoughts. Writing down what’s on your mind can help you start to make sense of things, even if the clarity or understanding doesn’t come immediately.

Also, don’t forget to **take care of your body**. It can be easy to forget to eat, or you might lose your appetite altogether, but you need energy to process and heal. Try to get enough sleep—yes, I know, it’s hard with everything going on, but your brain needs rest to process stress, and good sleep will help you manage anxiety better by giving your mind the time that it needs to vent out and release negative emotions, stress, anxiety and worry. This happens at night when you sleep.

Be careful about self-medicating with alcohol or drugs. It can be tempting to reach for something to take the edge off, and it’s okay to enjoy a drink or two to unwind, but don’t let it become a crutch. Be mindful of not getting lost in that fog because it won’t help you heal in the long run and can create a host of new problems.

I also want to remind you: move your body. Stress and trauma can get stuck physically, so try to get out of your head and into your body. Whether it’s stretching, yoga, walking, or anything that gets you moving—even if it’s just a little bit—this can be a powerful way to release tension and calm your mind.

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Lastly, I want to leave you with this thought:

Declare yourself able to overcome. Every single day, in your words and your self-talk, try to cultivate resilience, hope, faith, and positivity. You have the power to shape your mindset. You get to decide how you respond to challenges, even when it feels like that’s all the world is giving you. You are stronger than you think.

I’ll leave you with a quote from J.K. Rowling that I really like:

“Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.”

Hang in there. You’re not alone, and with time, support, and patience, you will find your way back to a place of healing.

And as always, If I can be of any support at all, don’t hesitate to reach out by going to  https://TedMoreno.com/contact and I’ll get back to you asap.

Take care of yourselves, and each other.

Thanks for reading. We’ll talk again soon.

Ted