• WITHIN THE FIRST 24 - 48 HOURS periods of appropriate physical exercise, alternated with relaxation will alleviate some of the physical reactions.
• Structure your time - keep busy.
• You're normal and having normal reactions - don't label yourself crazy.
• Talk to people - talk is the most healing medicine.
• Be aware of numbing the pain with overuse of drugs or alcohol; you don't need to complicate this with a substance abuse problem.
• Reach out - people do care.
• Maintain as normal a schedule as possible.
• Spend time with others.
• Help your co-workers as much as possible by sharing feelings and checking out how they are doing.
• Give yourself permission to feel rotten and share your feelings with others.
• Keep a journal; write your way through those sleepless hours.
• Do things that feel good to you.
• Realize those around you are also under stress.
• Don't make any big life changes.
• Do make as many daily decisions as possible which will give you a feeling of control over your life, i.e., if someone asks you what you want to eat - answer them even if you're not sure.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Recurring thoughts, dreams or flashbacks are normal - don't try to fight them - they'll decrease over time and become less painful.
• Eat well-balanced and regular meals (even if you don't feel like it).

FOR FAMILY MEMBERS & FRIENDS

• Listen carefully.
• Spend time with the traumatized person.
• Offer your assistance and a listening ear if they have not asked for help.
• Reassure them that they are safe.
• Help them with everyday tasks like cleaning, cooking, caring for the family, minding children.
• Give them some private time.
• Don't take their anger or other feelings personally.
• Don't tell them that they are "lucky it wasn't worse" - traumatized people are not consoled by those statements. Instead, tell them that you are sorry such an event has occurred and you want to understand and assist them.