Sunday June 12, 2016, is a day that will go down in history for all the wrong reasons. It was a day where too many lives were taken. Forty-nine innocent lives were lost, fifty-three innocent people were wounded, and a whole community was left in shock. But we reacted immediately and came together as a united community. We came together and have been the support each and every one of us has needed.

In the midst of all this tragedy, it is important that we not forget to take care of ourselves. Everyone has been doing their part to help the community, to help those affected first hand and all those who were involved in different ways. And as time passes, it is important to keep an eye out for normal reactions to traumatic events, such as:

• Difficulty sleeping
• Nightmares about the incident
• Loss of appetite
• Crying
• Feeling anxious
• Difficulty breathing
• Stomach in knots
• Headaches
• Confusion

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, take a step back for a moment and try to relax. Go to a quiet place, somewhere you can sit and close your eyes. As your eyes are closed, take a deep breath in through your nose. As you inhale, make sure and take that deep breath all the way to the bottom of your lungs. Hold it for about four seconds. Now exhale slowly through your mouth. As you feel that warm air leaving your body, imagine your stress and anxiety leaving with it. After you have released all this air, take two regular breaths. Now start over again with a deep breath in all the way to the bottom of your lungs. Hold it for about four seconds. Release all your tension with a deep breath out through your mouth. And take two regular breaths. You can do about 10-15 repetitions and practice as many times as needed to help you relax in the moment.

If you find yourself inexplicably angry, thinking about the recent events over and over, feeling guilt about what could have been done differently, or feeling any of the normal stress reactions to the recent events, please contact Life Enhancement Counseling Services today at 407-443-8862 to schedule an appointment with one of our Orlando mental health counselors.