GUIDE PRATIQUE ANGLAIS 2009 V5
4/12/09
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Pay heed to your emotional needs - Develop simple, daily rituals that take you out of the story. Reading, doing exercise or a craft hobby, for instance, can provide respite from toxic subject material. - Acknowledge feelings. Talk to people you trust; or if nobody is available, try writing a journal. - Never underestimate the importance of laughter. - Try deep breathing, especially if distressed. (Breathe slowly into your diaphragm, pause, then breathe out on a count longer than the in-breath.) - Try to form the habit of reframing negative situations: acknowledge what’s happened, but then list any positives that still apply. Focus on future steps that you can control. Focusing obsessively on what went wrong may increase vulnerability. Support others - Social connection is one of the most protective factors in the face of trauma – but that means the ability to give as well as receive support. - People recover better from trauma when their co-workers are positive and supportive. Be careful with attributing blame. - Be available to listen, but don’t dig for feelings, or make assumptions about what others might be experiencing or what you think they should be feeling. - Be a leader. Allow yourself and your co-workers proper recovery time. - If somebody is finding it hard to cope, consider suggesting they concentrate on lighter practical tasks, rather than ceasing work altogether. Activity is often protective. - Different cultures may have different ways of handling grief and trauma. Respect this. Understand your sources Understanding how trauma effects people may also help you avoid making journalistic mistakes. Some victims may be affected to an extent that there are factual errors in their accounts that they are not conscious of, while others may
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