Emergencies are naturally a very stressful time.
Your capacity to manage your stress can have a big impact on how staff and customers respond to a threat of an emergency. By concentrating on your physical and emotional wellbeing and others, you can maintain your capacity and reduce the impacts of stress.
Strategies to manage stress
- Take regular food, drink and breaks – preferably before you need them.
- Take emotional 'breaks' by putting aside fears and worries for a time by doing something practical – maybe for others.
- Physical energy and emotions are tied together. Don't think about emotional problems when you're tired. Promise yourself to think about it after you've rested.
- Manage your emotions and try not to feed negative feelings.
- Express positive emotions to others – such as optimism, faith in the future, confidence in survival.
- If you are feeling negative, talk about them rather than expressing them directly – you inspire others by how you behave rather than how you feel.
If at any time you're worried about your mental health or the mental health of your employees, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Where to get help
- Your doctor
- Your local community health centre
- Counsellor
- Psychologist
- Lifeline – call 13 11 14
- Parentline Victoria – call 13 22 89
- Kids Helpline – call 1800 551 800
- Nurse-on-Call – call 1300 606 024 offering expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days)
- Australian Psychological Society Referral Service – call 1800 333 497
