Summer storms can bring more than thunder and lightning — they often cause anxiety for children, adults and even pets. Children often fear the noise and uncertaintyFor kids, the fear can stem from the noise and uncertainty.”The scariest part is the noise,” one child said.Another added, “When the lightning and thunder are like no seconds apart.” Even when children know what to do during a storm, the anxiety doesn’t always go away.”I hug something,” one child said.Another shared, “I go under the covers with my cat because my cat helps me feel calm a lot.”A third said, “I hug my stuffed animal.” Adults can feel anxious, tooAdults also experience storm-related anxiety, often tied to concerns about property damage or safety.”I become a little more nervous about property damage or safety,” said Tom, an educator.He explained how his reaction can influence others, saying, “It does spark a little anxiety in me. As an educator, I try to mask that for the better good of my students and making sure they stay calm.” Expert explains when fear becomes anxietyPsychologist Karen Mummaw explained that anxiety is a natural response but noted the difference between normal fear and true anxiety.”The main thing that you’re going to look for is how much it interferes with your day-to-day,” she said. “So, a true anxiety is going to paralyze you, or you’re going to go into that panic attack or the nausea, you’re going to not want to leave your house.” Calming techniques can help during stormsTo manage anxiety during storms, Mummaw recommended calming techniques.”Calming yourself during those events is really important,” she said. “Some people find some grounding exercises.”She also emphasized the importance of parents’ responses, saying, “Kids are going to take their cues from us, as parents, too. Just giving them the OK that it’s OK to be scared and you’re safe at the same time.” Pets also need comfort and reassurancePets, too, can experience heightened stress during storms.”They hear lower frequencies, they feel pressure changes, and they can even sense static electricity before a storm hits,” Heather Hatt, manager of Delaware County Golden Retrievers Sanctuary, said. To help calm pets, experts suggest keeping the lights on and closing curtains and blinds to block out lightning.”You just stay calm and just reassure your dog. It’s OK to pet them during a storm, to hold them, to sit with them,” the expert said. While storms are a part of life, preparation, understanding, and reassurance can help everyone — kids, adults and pets — weather them together.
Summer storms can bring more than thunder and lightning — they often cause anxiety for children, adults and even pets.
Children often fear the noise and uncertainty
For kids, the fear can stem from the noise and uncertainty.
“The scariest part is the noise,” one child said.
Another added, “When the lightning and thunder are like no seconds apart.”
Even when children know what to do during a storm, the anxiety doesn’t always go away.
“I hug something,” one child said.
Another shared, “I go under the covers with my cat because my cat helps me feel calm a lot.”
A third said, “I hug my stuffed animal.”
Adults can feel anxious, too
Adults also experience storm-related anxiety, often tied to concerns about property damage or safety.
“I become a little more nervous about property damage or safety,” said Tom, an educator.
He explained how his reaction can influence others, saying, “It does spark a little anxiety in me. As an educator, I try to mask that for the better good of my students and making sure they stay calm.”
Expert explains when fear becomes anxiety
Psychologist Karen Mummaw explained that anxiety is a natural response but noted the difference between normal fear and true anxiety.
“The main thing that you’re going to look for is how much it interferes with your day-to-day,” she said. “So, a true anxiety is going to paralyze you, or you’re going to go into that panic attack or the nausea, you’re going to not want to leave your house.”
Calming techniques can help during storms
To manage anxiety during storms, Mummaw recommended calming techniques.
“Calming yourself during those events is really important,” she said. “Some people find some grounding exercises.”
She also emphasized the importance of parents’ responses, saying, “Kids are going to take their cues from us, as parents, too. Just giving them the OK that it’s OK to be scared and you’re safe at the same time.”
Pets also need comfort and reassurance
Pets, too, can experience heightened stress during storms.
“They hear lower frequencies, they feel pressure changes, and they can even sense static electricity before a storm hits,” Heather Hatt, manager of Delaware County Golden Retrievers Sanctuary, said.
To help calm pets, experts suggest keeping the lights on and closing curtains and blinds to block out lightning.
“You just stay calm and just reassure your dog. It’s OK to pet them during a storm, to hold them, to sit with them,” the expert said.
While storms are a part of life, preparation, understanding, and reassurance can help everyone — kids, adults and pets — weather them together.