Disasters are not just physically and mentally challenging, they can also take an emotional toll. All sorts of emotions can come up during critical events. They are frequently
uncomfortable, distracting and can seem like they just get in the way when you are trying to respond to emergencies.
Why do we have emotions?
Emotions are a key part of our human evolution and an important part of what allows us to successfully live and work in groups. They motivate us to respond in ways that are effective for safety and survival, they can hold us in check, and can inspire us to protect and care for others.
Emotions are signals that give us important information about situations and people, and they communicate to us and others about what we need. All kinds of emotions can show
up during disaster events. This is normal and natural – we’re all human after all – but they can be confusing, painful, and downright overwhelming.
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