Trending...
- Governor Newsom honors fallen California Highway Patrol Officer Miguel Cano - 102
- Governor Newsom marks historic expansion of California's Film and Television Tax Credit Program, announces 16 new projects to film in the Golden State
- California: Governor Newsom announces appointments 7.2.25
As a society, we tend to focus so much of our energy on the disaster and not enough on its aftermath.
LOS ANGELES - Californer -- Out-of-control wildfires in Canada's Nova Scotia spanning 25,000 acres have forced 16,000 residents to evacuate from their homes. Fire danger is high to extreme in much of Canada according to National Resources Canada. What happens when people return to their neighborhoods only to find nothing left where their homes once stood?
That's the question asked by author and psychologist Dr. Noelle Nelson in her Phoenix Rising - Surviving Catastrophic Loss: Fires, Floods, Hurricanes and Tornadoes (Amazon). The book explores the trauma of losing a lifetime of possessions in an instant, how to survive the immediate aftermath and how to find the strength to start over.
"As a society, we tend to focus so much of our energy on the disaster and not enough on its aftermath," says Nelson. "People's lives are changing dramatically from nonstop fires, tornadoes and floods. We debate about their causes, shake our heads about the enormity of each disaster but our attention quickly shifts elsewhere and we forget that each life touched by every new disaster will never be the same."
More on The Californer
"Disbelief, despair and hopelessness are the first emotions experienced after a disaster," says Nelson, who lost her home in the 2018 Woolsey Fire in southern California. "What follows next is often left up to the disaster victims."
Nelson offers these suggestions:
--Reach out to your "anchors." These are your close family and friends who you can rely on during the first days and weeks after a disaster. If they offer a room in their home, help you shop for essentials or to drive you to aid centers or meet with insurance agents or bankers, let them.
--Stay grounded. Continue as much as possible with work, school and outside interests. These "normal" things will give you strength and purpose when so much is not normal.
--Accept the kindness of strangers. Remember, as a whole, people are wonderful. Sure, there are a few bad apples, but most people are amazing—generous, caring and willing to help you through your personal disaster. Let them help. Their kindness will get you on your feet faster and reduce stress.
More on The Californer
--Don't be afraid to seek counseling. Attend local support group meetings with others experiencing what you are going through. These groups can be a good source of information, friendship and comfort.
"Everything is different after experiencing tremendous loss," says Nelson. "Trying to re-create the past in the present just doesn't work. It's only by releasing the past can you create a new and satisfying life for yourself."
Phoenix Rising (https://www.amazon.com/PHOENIX-RISING-Surviving-Catastrophic-Hurricanes-ebook/dp/B0976RQFXX/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Phoenix+Risings%2C+Noelle+Nelson&qid=1625864525&sr=8-1) is available in paperback, audio and on Kindle.
That's the question asked by author and psychologist Dr. Noelle Nelson in her Phoenix Rising - Surviving Catastrophic Loss: Fires, Floods, Hurricanes and Tornadoes (Amazon). The book explores the trauma of losing a lifetime of possessions in an instant, how to survive the immediate aftermath and how to find the strength to start over.
"As a society, we tend to focus so much of our energy on the disaster and not enough on its aftermath," says Nelson. "People's lives are changing dramatically from nonstop fires, tornadoes and floods. We debate about their causes, shake our heads about the enormity of each disaster but our attention quickly shifts elsewhere and we forget that each life touched by every new disaster will never be the same."
More on The Californer
- Heritage at South Brunswick Offers Immediate Townhome Appointments and Special Mortgage Incentive Fast-Moving Sales
- Sam Sammane wins Literary Titan Award for Republic of Mars, a haunting sci-fi debut on memory
- Fair Trade LA, The Tote Project, and Fair Trade USA™ Distribute 100 "Fair Care Packages" to Families Affected by Los Angeles Fires
- For Third Consecutive Year, ELEVATE Recognized as Star Performer & Major Contender by Everest Group
- NASA Collaborative Agreement for Supply of Thin-Film Solar Tech for Orbital Application to Advance Development of Thin-Film PV Power Beaming: $ASTI
"Disbelief, despair and hopelessness are the first emotions experienced after a disaster," says Nelson, who lost her home in the 2018 Woolsey Fire in southern California. "What follows next is often left up to the disaster victims."
Nelson offers these suggestions:
--Reach out to your "anchors." These are your close family and friends who you can rely on during the first days and weeks after a disaster. If they offer a room in their home, help you shop for essentials or to drive you to aid centers or meet with insurance agents or bankers, let them.
--Stay grounded. Continue as much as possible with work, school and outside interests. These "normal" things will give you strength and purpose when so much is not normal.
--Accept the kindness of strangers. Remember, as a whole, people are wonderful. Sure, there are a few bad apples, but most people are amazing—generous, caring and willing to help you through your personal disaster. Let them help. Their kindness will get you on your feet faster and reduce stress.
More on The Californer
- Shoot 'Em Up Classic Undeadline Coming to America & Europe for the First Time in New Collector's Set
- Exciting New Era of Sports, Entertainment & Gaming Innovation Spotlighted by Rebrand of Expanding AI Driven, Online Fan Engagement Company: SEGG Media
- FANATICS AND COMPLEX PRESENT <BLACKPINK IN YOUR AREA> LEAGUE COLLECTION TO CELEBRATE THEIR COMEBACK
- Service Ninjas Debuts First-of-Its-Kind "Membership" Platform for Home Service Pros
- Project Management Institute San Francisco and TalentCheetah Inc. Announce New Strategic Partnership
--Don't be afraid to seek counseling. Attend local support group meetings with others experiencing what you are going through. These groups can be a good source of information, friendship and comfort.
"Everything is different after experiencing tremendous loss," says Nelson. "Trying to re-create the past in the present just doesn't work. It's only by releasing the past can you create a new and satisfying life for yourself."
Phoenix Rising (https://www.amazon.com/PHOENIX-RISING-Surviving-Catastrophic-Hurricanes-ebook/dp/B0976RQFXX/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Phoenix+Risings%2C+Noelle+Nelson&qid=1625864525&sr=8-1) is available in paperback, audio and on Kindle.
Source: Dr. Noelle Nelson
Filed Under: Books
0 Comments
Latest on The Californer
- Jason Koch: Pioneering the Future of Real Estate Development in New Jersey
- Amid Trump's assault on public lands, California conserves over one million acres of land and coastal waters in just one year
- California: Governor Newsom announces appointments 7.7.25
- City of Long Beach to Upgrade Its Internet Infrastructure to Enhance City Network Reliability and Performance
- Groflex Named One of the Top 100 Manufacturing Startups in San Francisco by F6S
- BofA Directs Additional $1 Million to Los Angeles Nonprofits for Evolving Fire Recovery Needs
- Introducing LK Blue: The Cool-Girl Denim Brand That's Redefining LA Style Launches E-Commerce
- THINKWARE Announces Prime Day Deals on Best-Selling Dash Cams
- Zeta Sky Strengthens Cybersecurity Support for Ontario Businesses Facing Rising Identity & Complian
- Bach and Beyond: Cellists Return to the Beach for 2nd Annual Bethany Beach Cellofest
- Boleros de Noche presents "Marisoul y Los Hermanos Carlos" & "Bolero Soul" at The Ford
- Krispy Kreme, Inc. (DNUT) Investors Who Lost Money Have Opportunity to Lead Securities Fraud Lawsuit
- The 17th Annual Hola Mexico Film Festival presented by Toyota, September 12-20, during Hispanic Heritage Month, Official Poster Reveal
- NR7 Miner launches zero-cost USDT cloud mining service: daily stable income + referral rewards for double profit
- "The Grateful Dead — 60 Years in San Francisco" - Pantheon Media Launches New Podcast Series and Interactive "Hit Replay" App
- Deaths Spur Closures, but Troubled Teen Camps Must Be Banned, CCHR Warns
- Kiavi Expands Leadership Team to Further Bolster Construction Lending Growth
- Palmer Lake Wine Festival To Build Bridges in Small Mountain Community, Highlight Local Businesses
- Swim Up Hill Appoints Ambassador Lawson, Rep. Towns, and Banker Henderson to Board of Directors
- Paralympic Medalist Jamal Hill Launches Official Road to LA28 Campaign and $3M Corporate Fundraising Initiative