How to Cope: Storm Anxiety During Oklahoma Tornado Season

Storms in Oklahoma can quickly go from hard, windy rain to tornado weather quicker than we all realize. In many occasions, some of the worst weather happens during the evening or night time, making things even more frightening. If storms cause anxiety for you, here are a few ways to cope during severe weather in Oklahoma.

Plan Ahead

Often our anxiety stems from the risk of the unknown. When we don't have a plan, panic is the instinctual reaction. If you know severe weather is impending, take steps to plan where you would seek shelter, escape if need be or who you would reach out to in case of an emergency. Some incredibly helpful suggestions presented by meteorologists can also be found at weather.gov.

Find Your Triggers

Consider what parts of the storm actually cause your anxiety - the lightning, the blinding rain or the rumbles of thunder? When you can identify where the anxiety starts, you can learn when to implement things like breathing exercises or physical coping mechanisms. If lightning frightens you, blackout the windows. If you struggle with the sound of thunder, turn on your favorite shows or music to cover the sound. It is important that you still have access to an emergency alert system if you opt for these distractions. In fact, professionals recommend that you have at least 3 ways to be alerted about severe weather whenever you're expecting it.

Knowledge Is Power

Sometimes understanding the storm can take out the fear of the unknown. Although you don't have to know the deep ins and outs of the weather, you can familiarize yourself with the commonalities of nearly every storm. Research storm systems, what causes them or what to expect and you may find yourself analyzing your experience more than fearing it.

Another option to learn more from the professionals is to attend a spotting class or meet with your local weather gurus, according to foxweather.com. It's best to take these opportunities in advance of severe weather, but if it empowers you to understand the science behind the storm, take advantage when it's there.

Overall, take time to prepare ahead of time - even if its just a few moments to learn how to breathe to calm yourself down. Understanding what to expect and having a straight line to those you trust most will go a long way with making the storm season easier to get through than before.