How to mentally prepare for storm season

Residents on Longboat Key continue to rebuild their homes in some areas, even as a new hurricane season gets underway. But the storms also took a toll on many community members' stress levels and mental health as well.

In anticipation of this year's storms, Dr. Kitt Hill with AcuMed Wellness led a free seminar at The Paradise Center on calming acupressure techniques.

Hill, who has practiced acupressure and acupuncture for the past seven years, said these practices can be helpful to people in distress who have no choice but to wait out the storm if high winds delay help.

"During the storm, once winds hit a certain miles per hour, nobody's coming to help you," she said. "You have to wait for the storm to be over."

Photo by Dana Kampa

She particularly focused on pressure points in the ear that she said can help some people lower their blood pressure, reduce anxiety, manage pain and address nausea, among other effects.

For managing stress during a storm, Hill recommends focusing on the pericardium six pressure point, also called Nei Guan in traditional Chinese medicinal practices. It is located just below the wrist on the arm.

However, she did caution people who are pregnant to avoid certain pressure points, like those on the bottom of the foot, that may increase the likelihood of inducing labor for some.

Hill also offered details on auricular therapy, for which a person can place "ear seeds" on five key pressure points — either in the battlefield or NADA formation — on their ear. The adhesive points can stay in place for several days, and the user can simply press gently on each one to hopefully calm any fears.

She said meditation and certain breathing techniques can complement the acupressure.

"Do what works best for you," she said. "Do a body scan, and be aware of how your body is feeling. Take some time to have oneness and get grounded, so you don't feel fearful of something that is out there, outside of your control. What you can control is right here — you."

Photo by Dana Kampa

She noted acupressure doesn't pierce the skin, and it is up to the individual to decide whether gently applying pressure, tapping or rubbing the pressure point is most helpful.

AcuMed Wellness offers free community acupuncture clinics after major storms, and Hill invited community members to request pop-up clinics in their areas.

"That's one of the tenets of our medicine, that when you're impacted as a community, you work to help the community," she said.

In fact, groups like Acupuncturists Without Borders have a mission to help reduce trauma in areas where people are in crisis. Hill is a member, and she said they hope to address grief, stress, anxiety or even physical strain from post-storm cleanup.

Hill encouraged attendees to take care of their physical well-being, even when the demands of repairing homes and navigating the damage are pressing. 

"We've got to remember that our health is paramount," she said. "A contractor will rebuild your home, but you don't get a new body."

Like storm prep kits, Hill said she hopes this knowledge will be another tool in the toolbox for residents as they prepare for another season.