ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The emotional stress of hurricane recovery can be prolonged, as the rebuilding process remains stagnant for many homeowners.

Tips for coping with prolonged stress, according to Ellie Mental Health:

  • Shift mindset

  • Start with short-term goals; think creatively about solutions

  • Connect with community for support, resources

  • Consider professional support  

Spectrum Bay News 9 checked back in with a homeowner on how she’s managing her emotions through it all. A mental health counselor also shares insight into ways to help people cope.

Damage left behind by Hurricanes Helene and Milton has led to prolonged stress for many impacted homeowners.

“Being intentional with your time and with your energy is really important through this because it can consume you,” said Amy Brooks, who has not seen progress in rebuilding her St. Petersburg home.

Flooded during Helene, Brooks has been out of her house in the Riviera Bay neighborhood ever since.

“It’s easy to get discouraged but prioritizing my mental health has become one of my most important things to do,” said Brooks.

The 34-year-old said after six months of navigating the rebuild with FEMA and her insurance company, she’s still living in limbo. Part of prioritizing mental health for her meant packing up and taking a break.

“I picked somewhere that had always been appealing to me. Nicholas Sparks wrote a lot of books in Wilmington, N.C. and they were based in that area. I had never seen it,” said Brooks of selecting a spot.

For six weeks, Brooks immersed herself in the community.

“Toured around all the spots where One Tree Hill was filmed and all the Nicholas Sparks movies, went to Southport where Safe Haven was filmed,” said Brooks. “I found a little yoga studio and I did yoga every single day. I kind of just put this on pause and I reset my mind and I saw new things.” 

Reset to refresh is one healthy way to cope, says licensed clinical social worker Katie Planchard.

“Really think ahead, don’t look behind but look ahead,” said Planchard, Clinic Director of Ellie Mental Health.

Planchard says other coping skills include:

  • Shift your mindset
  • Set short-term goals
  • Think creatively about change
  • Connect with community for support and resources
  • Tap into what brings you joy
  • Consider professional support

“Find those things on a daily basis that can help boost your mood, they don’t have to be big things, sometimes our best coping skills are the little things that we’re doing every single day that can make the biggest difference,” said Planchard.

Brooks says resetting made a big difference, and she brought joy from her refresh back to Florida.

“For me, being mindful and being able to meditate daily and just prioritize my mental health will at least help me get to the next step, whatever that may be,” said Brooks.

She hopes the next steps include rebuilding her home to help preserve memories of her late mother.

“My mom helped me get this house, so I’m not just going to let it go,” said Brooks of holding onto hope.

“There’s a lot of power in just resetting your mind,” said Brooks.