By Diana Rodriguez

Almost 40 minutes away from Miami Lakes Educational Center, 17 innocent people lost their lives to a mentally ill teen wielding an AR-15 rifle. As if reading “South Florida shooting” on national media wasn’t surreal enough, we may be more familiar with the school than we realize.

Our friends may have met some of the victims at regional events, we may have been with some of them at a concert, mall, or movie theater. Some of our teachers or relatives may even live near the school.

While some of us will continue our daily routine as if the event had never occurred –understandably so, as such violence has become commonplace — some will be incredibly saddened for weeks to come. With this heavy weight on our shoulders as we witness such suffering, there are a few things we can do to lessen this dark, overhead shadow.

Disconnect yourself.

One thing that has been proven to make everyone feel better after a range of events is turning off your phone and putting it away. Not only will this decrease the chance of reading rumors or depressing posts on social media, but taking a break from texting and scrolling will generally decrease some stress. Use this newfound freetime to treat yourself with something you enjoy, whether that something is exercising, TV shows, or music.

Be productive.

This can mean many things. You can open up a novel, ask for a few more hours at work, or hang out with a close friend for an hour or two after school — anything to keep you preoccupied from getting anxious about the future: the future of you and your loved ones or the future of the American government.

If possible, go to a vigil or reach out to someone that was affected. Prayers may or may not go a long way, but physically showing your support or standing in solidarity with the victims and their families may make us feel a bit better.

Pause to understand your emotions.

During this time, reflect on your feelings every once in a while and assure yourself that the distress you’re feeling is natural and part of a process. Do not blame yourself for being “too affected” by the situation, as different people have different sensitivities and limits that affect how they are impacted by tragedy.

Take your time.

If you are being affected in a way that others are not, it is not a bad thing. If you need more time than you expected to gather your thoughts and adapt, then take your time. If someone you know is having a harder time than you, like a now-worried parent, give them time for the initial feelings of shock or empathetic grief. Sadness is a normal, human emotion, so take a passive approach and set your sights on a more hopeful tomorrow. Don’t let your fear, or others’ fear, of a similar experience keep you from living a fulfilling day.