Recovery after bushfire for you and others—the immediate coming days

A key to recovery is to remain as healthy as you can and recognising that experiencing stress in traumatic situations is normal.

Quick tips to help right now.

Download this information as a printable PDF: Recovery after bushfire for you and others—the immediate coming days (PDF - 345.3 KB)

Self Care

A key to recovery is to remain as healthy as you

• Remember to take medications
• Stay connected to other people is critical to recovery—talk/listen
• Take a moment to recharge—walk away, stop, breath, take a rest
• Avoid unnecessary exposure to further distressing images

Sustain

• Food—eat healthy food where possible, limit high sugar/fat/salt
• Water— keep well hydrated with clean/uncontaminated drinking water
• Sleep—make sleep a priority
• Minimise alcohol consumption
• Be careful not to overheat—avoid working in the heat of the day

Signs of distress in yourself and others

• Inability to focus
• Irritability
• Difficulty in making decisions
• Withdrawing from contact with people
• Physical symptoms: nausea, headache, muscle aches, skin rashes, insomnia

Support

In the immediate coming days practical support is often the most helpful

• In a crisis proactively seek urgent support for yourself and others (see contact numbers)
• If you’ve had a near death experience or experienced significant trauma seek support.
• Children—are there family/friends who can help?
• Livestock and pets—do they have water, food, fodder?
• Stock welfare—do you need veterinary advice?
• Ask for what you need—it’s okay to receive food and help—just as you want to help others, others want to help you.

Support contacts