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Our peer support team is available to you 24/7.

Preliminary Information

Acute Stress Reactions—and What Can Help Now

After a significant event, about one in five people may experience noticeable reactions—sometimes immediately, sometimes only after hours, days, or weeks. Such reactions can initially be part of a healthy coping process and usually subside after a few days. It’s okay to feel upset and overwhelmed—and it’s also okay to seek support.

Possible Reactions

Emotional

Anxiety, feelings of guilt, irritability, sadness, low spirits

Physical

Sleep disturbances, nausea, headaches, heart palpitations, exhaustion

In behavior

Anxiety, feelings of guilt, irritability, sadness, low spirits

In Thought

Problems with concentration and memory, confusion, nightmares, difficulty making decisions

What Can Help Now

  • Get some exercise—for example, 30 minutes of light endurance exercise, followed by about ½ liter of water. This helps reduce stress hormones.
  • Eat as normally as possible. If you don't have an appetite, try taking small bites every 30 minutes or so.
  • Talk about what you've been through—with people you trust. Social support makes it easier to process your experiences.
  • Return to your familiar routines and make a conscious effort to give yourself some rest.
  • Please be especially careful over the next few days—for example, when driving or performing safety-critical tasks.
  • Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol, caffeine, and drugs—and too much social media. Alcohol also prolongs recovery time.
  • Draw on what has helped you in past stressful situations.
  • Postpone major decisions until you have recovered.

Support Request

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Since our peer support team is made up of volunteers, response times may take up to 6 hours.

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