Managing your wellbeing during times of uncertainty

Dealing with events, like the extreme weather generated by Cyclone Gabrielle, can be challenging and overwhelming. Any time of uncertainty or change can raise our levels of stress and anxiety. It's during these times however that it's more important than ever to focus on healthy behaviours. We all have the potential to tap into strength and resilience to get through even the most challenging situations.

Here are some of our top tips to help you manage stress and focus on the things you can control when faced with situations where you feel powerless:

• Take care of yourself: Make sure to prioritise self-care during difficult times. This can mean eating nutritious food, focusing on sleep, taking a bath, exercising (there are lots of things you can do in the safety of indoors), meditating, or simply relaxing with a good book. Whatever helps you feel calm and rejuvenated, make sure to do it regularly.
• Focus on what you can control: During an event like a storm, it's easy to get caught up in unwanted feelings and emotions - helplessness, anger, frustration, upset. However, focusing on what you can control can help you feel more empowered and less stressed. Useful exercises to complete are ones that help us realise what is within and not within our control.

Try this activity:

• Actively manage negative thinking: When we are dealing with stressful events our thinking can easily spiral down a negative pathway. Use distraction techniques to help manage negative thinking and remind yourself that this will pass, it is a moment of time in our lives.
• Reflect and look forward: Looking ahead to a time in the future, or reminding yourself you will eventually look back on this hard time, can be helpful. Remind yourself of other hard times that you have managed to come through. What helped you get through these times?  Focusing on a day at a time, or a few hours at a time is a good strategy if the big picture feels overwhelming.
• Practice gratitude: Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of your situation, try to focus on what you're grateful for. This can be as simple as acknowledging the love and support of your family and friends or the beauty of nature. Practicing gratitude can help shift your focus away from stress and anxiety and towards positivity.
• Engage in mindfulness activities: Mindfulness allows us to disengage from the hectic world around us by focusing our attention inward. Connecting to our breath and practicing being present in the now can assist us in disconnecting from upsetting emotions, thoughts, and other stressors.
• Connect with others: Reaching out to friends and family can help you feel less alone during a storm or time of isolation. Sharing your feelings and experiences with others can also provide you with different perspectives and solutions to the challenges you're facing.
• Seek help if you need it: There are support channels available nationwide for dealing with all sorts of situations. If you feel you need extra support then explore the options listed here.

Remember, by taking care of yourself, connecting with others, and focusing on the things you can control, you'll be able to weather the storm and come out stronger on the other side.