Maui has seen unprecedented suffering in these past few weeks with unfathomable loss. Yet, amid this, there has also been an outpouring of Aloha within and for Maui, highlighting how strong we are as a community. I am in awe.
This is a time for deep reflection on who we are as individuals and as a community and what things truly matter in life. The little manini things we get upset over — who cut in front of who, who wasn’t nice to me — all seem so trivial. What this has reinforced for me is how essential community is for overall health. Community is an important pillar of health, contributing to our overall well-being and quality of life. Without it, we are alone, and we cannot thrive as a body of one.
For those affected, I encourage you to remain strong and draw strength from our community. Maintaining resiliency through such adversity can be difficult. It is essential to take time to fill your cup.
1. Stay centered. The chaos and uncertainty can push you into panic and overload. When you feel overwhelmed, try to practice deep breathing (exhalation twice as long as inhalation) several times a day.
2. Accept your emotions. You are allowed to feel angry, sad, or frustrated! This is normal, and accept these feelings for what they are.
3. Focus on what you can control. This can be hard because it may feel like a lot is out of your control now, which can feel defeating. Instead of focusing on what you can’t control, focus on what you can control.
4. Seek support. It’s okay to ask for help. Your community WANTS to help you. In fact, by asking for and receiving help, you are helping the person who is providing that help. Helping others fosters a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Whether that’s help financially, mentally, or spiritually, many are ready and willing to support you. See the links below.
One topic I wanted to address was survivor guilt. Survivor guilt is a complex emotional response to feelings of guilt for surviving a traumatic event where others have not. This is a real phenomenon for those who made it out alive or even those who did not witness the event.
If this sounds like you, I encourage you to:
1. Acknowledge these feelings. This feeling is normal and natural.
2. Treat yourself with kindness.
3. Share your feelings and seek professional help if you find these feelings overwhelming.
4. Reach out to your community. Often, an excellent way to channel this guilt is to help others. As I stated, helping others fosters a sense of purpose and can reduce stress and anxiety. This can be a great way to help yourself, as well as help build your community and strengthen your relationships.
For more resources for support and information, please visit these two sites, which remain up to date.
a. https://www.mauinuistrong.info/
b. https://www.mauicounty.gov/
Stay well and safe, Maui.
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About the Author:
Dr. Eri Shimizu is a board certified in Internal Medicine Doctor and soon will be certified through the Institutes of Functional Medicine. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Bioengineering from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and graduated summa cum laude from Creighton University Medical School. She completed her Internal Medicine residency at UCLA and worked at a Los Angeles county hospital. In 2012, she returned to Hawaii and served as a Hospitalist at Maui Memorial Medical Center. Maui is now home with her husband, two children, and a fighting fish named Rainbow.
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