For those whose lives and property were devastated by Tropical Storm ?Ondoy,? it is important to have an improved frame of mind in order to move on.

Develop a strong mind and body. Improve your fitness level by walking outside your home, moving around all the time, cleaning your house or helping others in reorganizing their place and backyard.

You can cope more easily after a disaster if you?ve been used to living a simple life.

Buy fresh fruits and vegetables, fish and chicken that you can prepare everyday instead of going to fastfood restaurants. Eat foods that will help keep your heart and immune system healthy. This will also make your body ?stress-proof? during extreme weather conditions.

Aside from avoiding diseases and weight problems, you can even save money which you can donate to calamity victims.

Coping mechanism

According to the book ?Controlling Stress and Tension: A Holistic Approach? by Daniel Girdano, George Everky Jr. and Dorothy Dusek, coping mechanisms for traumatic situations such as death of someone and natural calamities involve reinterpretation of the traumatic event and one?s role, increasing control over the traumatic situation, obtaining social support and changing one?s assumption about the world.

Restructure your thoughts which will have a great impact on your current feelings and behavior. Find positive aspects in the situation to reduce stress. Some victims discover their inner strength which allows them to find ?meaning? or a message in a catastrophe.

Increase sense of self control by engaging in activities that will help you regain confidence after a period of adjustment and recovery. This will depend on available resources and social support system like helping others who are also in need, going back to work, getting involved in organizations or being a renewed and stronger individual.

E-mail the author at mitchfelipe @gmail.com