Released March 28, 2008

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- The widespread flooding in Arkansas has also brought long-term stress for many.

Arkansans whose homes and farms are submerged may have to wait weeks before they know the scope of their loss. Those in the 35 counties declared federal disaster areas are keeping their eyes on the forecast for more rain.

The stress of the situation is undeniable, but the ways it will affect the people in those flooded areas will vary, said Dr. Wallace Goddard, an extension family life specialist and professor with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

"Neighbors experiencing the exact same thing in the flood may react very differently," Goddard said. "One of them might be philosophical and say, ‘well, you know, it was about time to tear down this ramshackle place,’ while to someone else it might just feel like the end of the world."

Goddard offers three ways that people may be able to keep stress at bay while they wait for the waters to recede and for their lives to return to normal.

First, he says, be patient. There may not be resolution right away. Some things take time. Don’t worry too much about those things that cannot be fixed immediately, but take things a little at a time and eventually progress will be evident.

Second, find someone who is supportive and talk with that person about what has happened and how you feel about it. Talking about the pain we feel can help us process it.

Third, allow yourself to indulge in restorative activities. You may not have a great deal of free time, but taking a few minutes every day to do things that you enjoy can bring you energy to deal with the challenges. Maybe delve into hobbies or take a few minutes to sort through and celebrate items that were saved from the flood. This may give you renewed optimism.

Growing research supports another theory about stress and stressful events – that people who have made their way through those things are better able to adapt to crises than they were before tragedy struck.

"Especially when your household and everything you own has been destroyed, it may take months, it may take years, but it can lead to a better outcome long-term," said Goddard.

"That may be hard to believe in the middle of the crisis, but the good news is that research on humans shows that crises often lead to better adaptation post-crisis than before."

Goddard speaks from personal experience about the things that can help in coping with stressful situations. In 1995, he and his wife, Nancy, weathered a hurricane in Auburn, Ala., and awoke to find a tree on their house and they had no phone or electric power for weeks.

Though it might seem dubious that something good can come out of something bad, Goddard feels stronger than he did before the hurricane.

"People rallied around us and lots of folks came and help us and we felt like afterward that things were better than before. That’s post-traumatic adaptation at work," he says. "We are stronger and better when we deal with challenges – even overwhelming ones."

For more information about disaster preparedness, visit the extension's Web site, http://www.uaex.edu, or contact your county extension agent. The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U of A Division of Agriculture.

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http://www.uaex.edu/news/march2008/0328floodstress.htm

Contact: Lamar James, (501) 671-2187 or (501) 753-0207, ljames@uaex.edu