“Moments of Calmness.” In Puerto Rico, Building the Emotional Skills to Cope with Disaster
A new program is focused on increasing post-disaster emotional resilience for the island’s residents.
Puerto Ricans participate in a yoga session. Basic yoga is one of the core techniques the Center teaches. (Photo courtesy of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine)
Even before Hurricanes Irma and María slammed into Puerto Rico, mental health was a widespread issue on the island.
“You don’t need a natural disaster to feel stressed,” said Nancy Ruiz, one of the facilitators of Puerto Rico’s Center for Mind-Body Medicine. “Everyday problems accumulate as we carry on, and our bodies, like a glass full of water, continue to tolerate it until one day it overflows.”
“Moments of Calmness.” In Puerto Rico, Building the Emotional Skills to Cope with Disaster
Format
By Ana Umpierre
April 15, 2021 5:10 am
Even before Hurricanes Irma and María slammed into Puerto Rico, mental health was a widespread issue on the island.
“You don’t need a natural disaster to feel stressed,” said Nancy Ruiz, one of the facilitators of Puerto Rico’s Center for Mind-Body Medicine. “Everyday problems accumulate as we carry on, and our bodies, like a glass full of water, continue to tolerate it until one day it overflows.”
Those existing concerns, combined with two destructive hurricanes, put a significant strain on Puerto Ricans’ mental health.