How to Deal with the Stress of Today's Mass Murder in Tucson, Arizona

I live in Tucson, Arizona. Today I woke up to a telephone call letting me know that our Congresswoman, Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head and others were killed and critically hurt. They were shot as Gabrielle Giffords was doing one of her "Congress on Your Corner" events. She has done at least 20 in the past - meeting with local Tucsonans at familiar places around town, discussing politics and just saying, "Hi." This morning she was in front of a very familiar Safeway food store holding the event.

Although I did vote for Gabrielle Giffords, I also felt so bad for her because she is a human being just like me. I've seen her very often on many television talk shows and News shows, so I know very clearly what she looks like and what her voice sounds like. Since she became active in politics in Tucson, Arizona I've heard about her personal life. Aside from politics, she has become one of us. I feel like I know her.

After getting off the telephone, I turned on a local television News show. Every time I saw a picture of Gabrielle Giffords in the medical helicopter, I started to cry. I know the color of her hair, so I knew it was her. As I tried to walk, my legs felt very weak. They felt like they weren't even strong enough to hold me up. Since I have a heart condition I thought it was best that I sit, so I turned on the computer to read about all the reports and updates of the shootings. As I searched on the computer and read all the old information and new information as it was being posted, I also kept our local News television station on to hear their continual coverage. Minutes turned into hours and before I realized it, I was at the computer and listening to the television about the shootings for seven (7) hours. I didn't even have my first meal of the day yet. I was consumed by the situation and as the time passed I became more depressed as I heard more information such as who else died, the name and age of the shooter and all about him and the medical updates of those who survived and are still fighting for their lives, included our Congresswoman, Gabrielle Giffords.

Seven (7) hours later, deeply depressed, hungry and overcome with sadness, I had to tell myself I need to get away from the computer. I shut down the computer and went into the kitchen to have something to eat, but continued to watch television coverage of the shootings and updates on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords condition. The television coverage made me even more depressed and sad. I saw pictures of the others who died, including a 9 year old girl. I felt my heart palpitating as I went about inside my home. I knew it was time for me to control the stress brought on by this senseless and tragic event.

How did I deal with the stress?

I know it releases some of the sadness and tension if I talk to someone else about how I am feeling, so I spoke on the telephone to two friends and one relative about this tragedy that happened here today. We shared our shock, our grief and our sadness - for everyone personally and non-personally involved and for our country as a whole. Talking about it with others, did help me feel better a little.

By the time I went back on the computer it was late at night. For my mental and physical health, I knew I had to now control and limit the information I was continuously being told about the shootings. I went back on the computer and just briefly looked for updates. No new information had been posted. I shut down all the webpages I had looked at about the shootings.

I also had to use self-talk - something I learned about in psychotherapy. I told myself, "It's late at night and Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is now resting and sleeping in the hospital after the surgery. I need to rest too. All I can do is hope that with each new day ahead, she'll recuperate and improve more and more."

Listening to the News shows on television repeat and try to analyze the tragic event of the day that happened here in Tucson, Arizona wasn't helping at all. Instead of turning the television on to the News coverage, I put on a music CD. Music always makes me feel better and takes my mind off of other things. Although Christmas has passed, I thought Amy Grant's CD titled, The Christmas Collection, would be consoling and it is. It's still playing right now and I keep restarting it.

I also learned over the years and in psychotherapy that writing about my feelings is very helpful, so that's what I chose to do and here I am. Writing is like talking to someone else and it is also a way of releasing and 'letting go' of those bad feelings you are having at the time.

I'm feeling a bit better now. I'm holding on to hope for our Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and all those who are still fighting for their lives as a result of this tragic shooting. My deep thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost a loved one as a result of this tragedy, especially the family of the 9 year old girl. I know that when our Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords becomes aware of what happened she is especially going to be deeply heartbroken that a 9 year old girl was killed, as she went to the event to support her, listen to her speak and show her love for her.

If you feel too stressed out about a situation, whether it involved you directly or non-directly such as this one, try the same simple steps I have to help yourself feel a little better.
In summary:

1. Talk to someone - a friend and/or relative, about the situation and how it is making you feel;
2. Limit the amount of information you are receiving about the situation. Cut back on it, or completely stop it;
3. Use self-talk to help yourself through it and to help yourself deal with it. Talk yourself into feeling better. Tell yourself what you need to do to make yourself feel better and do it;
4. Write down your feelings; and/or
5. Play music that you find to be soothing, or watch a funny movie, or read a book;
6. If it's time to go to sleep, have a peaceful sleep.