Psychiatrists have no fears! It is often assumed that a psychiatric specialization bestows superpower coping skills. Unexpectedly, my psychiatric skills were given a test. The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) annual meeting was to be held in Orlando, Florida. The possibility of Hurricane Matthews was not remotely included in the advanced payment of my conference, hotel and airplane fees. What follows are six stress management tools implemented to attend a conference under a hurricane threat.
Face your Fears
First–Own it! Who wants to admit that they are preoccupied with inner tension. Feelings are intangible. They can’t be measured with a thermometer, made visible for a bandage and not subject to surgical removal. Emotions are bodily conditions that are highly personal. Being a psychiatrist, it was perhaps easier to acknowledge my anxieties about going to Florida. Aware of my increased stress, I frequented my favorite water aerobic classes.
Limit Negative Attitudes
Second–Reduce negative input. The thoughts of willfully entering a potential hurricane ally were becoming a daily preoccupation. My telephone inquires to the conference staff was answered in the affirmative. Orlando is a go for NAMS! Nonetheless, ambivalent feelings about my attendance was increasing daily. Anxiety reduction required immediate removal of pessimistic persons from my contact list. Naysayers who questioned my sanity about going to Florida were given restricted access. Comments that “I was headed in the wrong direction” had to be redirected with immediate distraction. Personal stories about encounters with hurricanes from concerned friends and colleagues were avoided. Only supporters of my decision had access to my availability.
Control Emotions
Third– Own My feelings Upon arrival in Orlando my cell phone greeted me with a dire message. A loud buzzer announced this area is under the threat of hurricane Matthew. My thoughts shifted to an immediate exit plan of securing a return flight home. The strategy for these intrusive worry thoughts was to create mental checkpoints. A roadblock with thoughts of my decision to attend would greet my anxieties. Second guessing myself was not acceptable. I had to trust my long-term membership in the North American Menopause Society. They were not going to place themselves and their membership at risk. The trust in my organization and prayers served as my stress relief anchors. Clearly,I had no control of the weather in Florida.
Avoid Social Withdrawal
Fourth–Start conversations. Floridians are great! It was easy to start conversations in the airport. The locals provided reassurance that the conference hotel was designed for safety. The bus driver, in hindsight was the answer to my prayers. She was lively and fun, while sharing her recent relocation to Florida from Minnesota. This was her first hurricane. She described severe wind and rain as the usual hurricane trajectory in central Florida. We laughed with jokes and shared good times all the way to the hotel. I felt at ease by the time the bus driver dropped me off at the hotel lobby.
Remain Focused
Fifth– stress management. The conference packet was detailed with the plenary sessions and networking events. It was important to remain grounded in the specifics of the conference. There were no flights available to return home! It was crucial to stop brain fatigue by not wasting energy thinking about complex options to return home. Tired brains can be more anxious. The anticipation of interesting conference topics provided mental diversions to redirect anxieties.
My plan was effective, until the projected day of the hurricane arrival. Reading the hotel letter to their “valued guest” reactivated my unwanted anxieties. The memo alerted that the weather bureau has just announced this area was under the immediate threat of hurricane Matthew. The hotel precautions and accommodation were outlined in the letter. This information immediately flooded my brain with worry thoughts. My knee jerk response was to shut out any further information associated with hurricane Matthew. Surfing the Internet, cell phone, television viewing and reading the newspaper had to be time limited and targeted. These portals of information had to restricted since they created a heighten state of vulnerability. It was important to stay calm.
Stress Management Reaffirmed
My experience with hurricane Matthew reaffirmed the importance of stress management. The identification and implementation of coping skills for stress relief is crucial. Those prewired with a history of diagnosed anxiety probably require extra precautions to manage their emotions response. Feelings are intangible but powerful internal states that impact decisions and behavior. My brain is the powerhouse organ that manages all emotional and bodily reactions. The decision to share this experiences about my anxiety and the importance of stress management was to rekindle the conversation about brain related conditions.