| Storms: big bangs, flashing lightening, loud noises and | | | | to do this when the storm is in full swing but make a |
| maybe even high winds. Some people are so | | | | note so that you can attend to these details before |
| fascinated with them that they follow and chase | | | | next time. |
| them. Others cope OK but couldn't really care less | | | | 3. Get some company |
| about storms either way. And some people are just | | | | Most things are less daunting if there's someone else |
| plain afraid of storms. What can you do if you're in | | | | there with us. This goes for thunderstorms as much |
| this latter group? | | | | as anything else. Get a friend to call round or make |
| 1. Practice breathing | | | | sure you can call on someone to join them if there's |
| Your mother likely told you to take a deep breath | | | | a chance of a long storm coming. |
| when you were scared. This still works. Deep | | | | 4. Stay inside |
| breathing will help to calm you down and relax you, | | | | Certain things act as natural lightening conductors. |
| even if there's a sound and light show outside that | | | | Stay inside so that you're not putting yourself close |
| would make a movie special effects producer go | | | | to anything - such as tall trees - that could draw |
| weak at the knees with envy. | | | | these big sparks close to you. |
| 2. Secure anything that rattles | | | | 5. Learn more about storms |
| The sounds caused by severe storms are bad | | | | Read a book or look them up on the internet. |
| enough without your house joining in the chaos. | | | | Knowledge truly is power - the more you know |
| Windows are good at rattling and making extra noise | | | | about something, the less likely it is to be frightening |
| just to wind you up. So are doors and other things | | | | or, at the least, the better you can cope with it. |
| that flap around in the breeze. You may not be able | | | | |