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.

Self Care

A key to recovery is to remain as healthy as you

• Remember to take any prescribed 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