Five Ways ToPrioritize Your Family's Physical And Mental Well-Being In Hurricane Season (NAPSA)—The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration pre- dicts an average hurricane season this year, butas history has shown,the worst hurricanes are often unexpected. Last year, the seemingly mild Hurricane Michael rapidly turned into a category 5 storm,devastatingparts of the Florida Panhandle. While many will stock batteries, flashlights and bottles of water, fewwill prep for health-related incidents The physical and mental health toll orhave a plan in place if a family mem- of a hurricane can belonglasting, ber gets sick during a naturaldisaster. What’ more, such stormscan be trau- butyou can learneffective and proven steps to prioritize your health. they've blown over. It's wise to prepare for that, too. “In the wake of an imminentstorm, find-an-open-shelter.html. There you can get the help you need,including vir- matic, causing stress and fear, evenafter many often forget that everyday life, including generalillness, doesn't stop in the midst of a natural disaster? says Dr. Derek Bennetsen, a board-certified family physician.“Plus, the physical and mentalhealthtoll of a hurricane can be Jonglasting. Fortunately, you can learn effective and proven stepsto prioritize tual access to doctors. 4.Be Smart About Stress. Hurri- canesarestressful, even traumatic. Coping with the emotionaleffects ofdisasters is importantforall ages. In the moment, try breathing exercises or tackling one item at a time ona to-dolist and always consider talking to a psychologistor therapist. Telebehavioralhealth services such yourhealth. Have a hurricane plan that as BetterHelp (wwwbetterhelp.com) includes deciding how you and your and Teladoc (Teladoc.com/therapy) are loved ones will receive general medical growing in popularity for successfully care?” Dr. Bennetsen suggests these steps you can taketo prioritize your family’s health regardless of the weather: providing supporton your terms, regard- eventof a hurricane or other disaster, getting to a pharmacy may be impos- with the prevalence ofvirtual care, we can 1. Mind Your Medications. In the sible, if it's even open. Work with your treating physician or virtual care service to make sure your medications are stocked before a storm hits, and make sure you have a pharmacyfinderin the less oftimeofday or location. “The needfor quality mental health carein thefaceofdisaster is so well documented and needed, and now, fortunately, connect people with therighttherapistfor their needs” explains Dr. Chris Dennis, a Miami, Florida-based psychiatrist and tele-behavioralhealth provider. 5. Know Where to Access Care: A 2. Check Your First-Aid Kit. First- feveror infection is not going to wait for the storm to pass and may very well get worse if you wait. In many areas, doctors they're needed. Make sure you have an amplesupply ofbandages, alcohol swabs difficult to access. Find out before the storm hits whether you have access to eventofevacuation. aid kits are rarely thought aboutuntil and painrelievers, to manageeverything from cuts and scrapes to headaches. Keep dust masks nearby and a whistle in case you needto signal for help. 3.Download the Right Apps. If poweris out, conserve yourcell phone battery. Get information from trusted sources. Download the Red Cross app at: www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to- prepare-for-emergencies/mobile-apps, mayalso have evacuatedor care will be virtual care services. Disaster prepared- ness resources such as_https://www. teladoc.com/disaster-hotline/ have thou- sands of physicians across the country including those whoare board-certified to provide medical care. “Whetherit’s a child’s fever in the wake of a storm, or breathing issues, infections and or other illnesses incurred days or weeks after, weve your lovedonessafe. The FEMA appis helped patients get much needed care over the years.It’s so critically important to prioritize your health and know app,for regularalerts from the National adds Dr. Bennetsen. to monitor more than 35 different emergency alerts that can help keep you and alsoavailable, at www.fema.gov/mobile- Weather Service. In case of evacuation or the need for care, seek out Red Cross shelters at www:redcross.org/get-help/ disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/ youroptions for care before you needit? Learn More For further information,visit www. Teladoc.com/disasterprep or Teladoc. com/therapy. wanna nenagene Editor's Note: Aithough this information can be usefulto anyone, its particularly importantto peoplein:AL, Fl, GA, HI, LA, ‘MS, NC, SG, TX, VA.
