Weather Stress: How to Cope With a Fear of Severe Weather
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JACKSON, Tenn. – To some, severe weather can be a terrifying experience. So, how do you deal with these events? There are many different ways to help you stay calm when dangerous weather threatens. Almost everyone has a fear of one thing or another, but the third most common fear among people according to a study done in 2007 is astraphobia – the fear of thunder. Maybe you had a personal experience with severe weather or some members of your family dealt with severe weather and it caused damage to their property. For whatever reason you started having that fear, it would be wrong to say that fear of storms is a bad thing in and of itself. Instead it can be thought of as a motivator to get you to shelter during severe weather. Ultimately, everyone that experiences severe weather with fear will have a different anxiety to deal with. Doc Reedy, a local clinical social worker, had this to say, “Elderly people tend to be more concerned about losing their homes and possessions, parents tend to be more fearful of something happening to their children. Some people are more concerned about their pets than themselves!” Pets can be a very pacifying presence at times and will help us stay calm, but some also worry about what could happen to their pets and loved ones while they are at work. To stay calm there are a multitude of things we could put into practice to help feel more secure. “Put on some music,” Reedy said. “Be with somebody. If they want to visit a neighbor. Call someone, get them on the phone so that someone can offer some comfort. In other words, do something, mobilize the fear – that‘s the best thing to do. Take some actions, so that they will not just sit and wonder when is it going to hit.” Having a NOAA weather radio and following the social media pages of WBBJ’S VIPIR 7 Storm Team members will help you know when storms are coming.
