There is no one right way to cope. Each person has unique strengths and vulnerabilities. The key is to come up with a plan that will give God room to bring healing to your wound.

DO:

• Relax and rest

• Eat nutritiously (Avoid sugar)

• Exercise

• Get more than enough sleep

• Talk about what happened (to God and others)

• Write about what happened (journaling, letters, e-mails)

• Laugh when you can

• Set small goals

• Keep some sort of routine

• If safe, stay in familiar environment

• Spend time with those who are supportive and helpful

• Cry if you can

• Pray

• Reflect in the Word

• Sing or listen to music

• Educate yourself about traumatic reactions

• Know that the intensity of the pain will not continue forever

• Anticipate difficult times to come

• Search and find perspective and meaning in the event

• Ask for help and let others help you

DON'T

• Make major decisions

• Set up an active travel or speaking schedule

• Drink alcohol

• Drink caffeinated drinks

• Take sedating drugs (i.e., valium, sleeping pills)

• Talk publicly about sensitive details soon after trauma

• Make broad generalizations about yourself, future, others

SOURCE: mmct.org