Bonfire night advice for veterans

Bonfire night is tomorrow (Saturday November, 5th) and can be a difficult event for veterans, especially those suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Even if you don't go out to your local bonfire, people in your area are still likely to be letting of fireworks throughout the evening and for the next week.

All the noise, fire and burning smells on the air could very well serve as a trigger for you, conjuring up memories and thoughts that upset you and cause stress. It's important to know that this doesn't say anything about who you are, it is just a symptom of PTSD and so you should be prepared just in case.

To help you get through the events of Guy Fawkes night, here are some tips that you may find useful:

Make a plan

It is a good idea to make a plan for your evening whether you want to stay at home or go out. This will help you structure your night and give you something else to think of, even if you're just going to watch some films with friends.

If you feel up to going out, decide where you're going, with whom and when. This will help you to remember that the situation is very different from any you may have had to deal with during combat and help to ground you. 

Figure out your triggers

If you know you have triggers, be mindful of them. Be ready to address them when you need to, whether this means taking something with a fragrance to counteract the smell of burning or taking shelter when the fireworks start. 

Knowing what might trigger you and how your body reacts when something starts to upset you can allow you to calm down before things get too bad. 

Talk to those you're with

Not only should you ensure you're not on your own, you should also talk to those you're going to be spending the evening with to let them know why it could be a problem for you. This will ensure someone is with you but that they don't smother you throughout the evening.

Let them know if you have any tells when things are getting too stressful or come up with some sort of signal that you need to find a quiet place. Even if you just talk to one person you're going with, it could help you feel safer.

Stay relaxed and breathe

Getting worked up over the possibility of triggering your PTSD isn't going to help matters, so it's important that you are relaxed at the start of the evening. Do something that helps you to calm down and just keep breathing at a good pace.

If you feel your stress levels to rise, stop and take some calming breaths, as this will help your body to relax. You may find it helpful to find a space where there are fewer people as well, as feeling less crowded will also help you calm down.

Just remember to stay safe and have your support network close by – even if it's at the other end of the telephone – so you can talk through how you're feeling if you need to.