Independence day is just around the corner here the states. For many, this is a time of celebration and gathering with friends and family. For others, it can be a highly stressful time.

Often 4^th of July celebrations include fireworks that are loud and bright. This can be very fun for some people. For others, it can trigger a lot of stress.

Those that might find this a stressful time are our veterans, anyone suffering from PTSD, and your pets. It is helpful to be mindful of how a loud boisterous celebration may negatively impact others who have experienced trauma in the past.

If you are one of those people that dislike fireworks, loud booms, and bright flashes of light, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. There are some things that you can do to help reduce the amount of stress that you experience during celebrations like these.

Keep in mind you can’t control what others do, but you can gently communicate that this is a stressful experience for you. There is no need to go into the details of why unless you want to do so.

The first option is to remove yourself from the area. This may mean you go to someplace where fireworks are not allowed. This, of course, might not be an option for everyone. At the very least do not go to the firework celebrations. This is not a good place for you to be and can trigger a PTSD flare.

The next option is to utilize noise-canceling headphones to reduce the amount of noise that you hear. Now is a good time to prepare to make sure you have those on hand when needed. These can also be very useful around New Year celebrations as well.

The next is to bring in stress management herbs in the form of tea. Herbs like Tilia, lavender, lemon balm, and Schisandra can be very helpful for helping reduce the impact of stress. Start drinking a few cups daily a couple weeks before the event have the best benefit during the time of heightened stress. This can also be helpful for your pets in small amounts. You can add a little bit to their water.
You can learn more at this post about 5 favorite calming herbs here.
Another herbal option is Bach Flower Rescue Remedy. This is available at most natural food stores and in many groceries in the natural food section. Put a couple of drops into your pet’s water and into your water as needed. This can be helpful during celebrations and before. This is a simple way to help reduce the amount of reactivity happening in the central nervous system. Start taking it early in the day if you know a high-stress situation is coming.
I hope these simple tricks can help reduce the amount of stress that you might experience during these loud boisterous celebrations. I highly recommend that you find your own way to celebrate that is soothing and comforting for you.
In health, 
Dr. Allegra Hart @Dr. Allegras Apothecary
 
 
http://naturaeclinic.com/vets-and-pets/