As an American, I find myself worried about another terrorist attack. I’m not consumed with fear, but it’s something that often pops into my head and brings anxiety to my day. I know there’s nothing I can do to prevent something like this from happening. But is there anything I can do to find freedom from fear?
However, it may put your mind at ease to know that your risk of being harmed in a terrorist attack is extremely small. Compared to other risks you may face in your daily life, the threat of a terrorist attack is miniscule. You are far more likely to die in a car accident, while crossing the street, or from accidental poisoning.
While these odds should go a long way toward putting you at ease, you can also take other measures to reduce or eliminate your fear and anxiety. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to be prepared -- not only for various types of terror attacks (chemical, biological, etc.) but for other natural disasters as well. Preparation isn’t the same as prevention, and it can’t guarantee survival, but preparatory measures can help greatly in several ways:
- Damage Control: Being prepared can blunt the impact of a disaster by slowing or stopping the chain reaction that often occurs after a crisis. For example, knowing how to safely escape a building after an explosion can help reduce injuries. Having a meeting place for your family in case of emergency makes it easier to regroup and move forward quickly.
- Sense of Control: Fear and anxiety have the important purpose of causing us to act in a situation that may be dangerous or threatening. Unfortunately, there’s not always a clear action that can get you out of danger. However, taking what measures you can -- in the form of being prepared in the event of an emergency -- can lessen your feelings of anxiety by channeling that energy into some type of constructive action. Feeling in control of your situation reduces stress and allows you to act.
How To Be Prepared
So how do you get prepared? Make a plan with your family. Have several days of food and water on hand. Have first aid kits ready. And do your research. Here’s an excellent site that provides information on how to deal with various types of disasters. There’s even a free downloadable book.
Also, certain stress management techniques can help you to get out of feeling panicky and find freedom from fear, or at least a more peaceful state of mind. You may want to try breathing exercises, journaling, or meditation. For more information on fast-acting stress relievers, see this article on how to calm down quickly.
Again, knowing that your real odds of encountering a terrorist attack are minor should put you at ease. Also, once you’ve prepared yourself and your family, and adopted stress relief techniques, you should feel significantly better knowing that you’ve done all you can. If you still feel anxious, try to redirect your thoughts and get involved in other activities or hobbies. If all of this doesn’t help, and you still feel considerable anxiety much of the time, you may want to talk to a friend or professional about ways to lessen your anxiety.
Sources:
"What Are The Odds of Dying?" Diabetes Spectrum National Safety Council. August 2, 2006.
