NG LifeMag EMAG Feb 2024 - Flipbook - Page 38
When dealing
with the threat
of bushfires here
are some things
you can do to help
maximise your
chances of a good
night’s sleep.
BE PREPARED
• Have a well-developed plan.
Know what you will do in
par琀椀cular circumstances
regarding where the 昀椀re
is and the advice you are
receiving. Wri琀椀ng down
this plan is useful and can
reduce your anxiety.
• If your plan includes
possible evacua琀椀on make
prepara琀椀ons in plenty of
琀椀me, including a list.
• Stay informed but maintain
some perspec琀椀ve on how
o昀琀en you need to update
yourself on the 昀椀re threat.
Check with yourself and
others about whether you
are needlessly obsessing
about risk.
• In the evenings be
informed about the
an琀椀cipated level of 昀椀re
danger during the sleep
period. Know whether or
not any high winds may
moderate su昀케ciently to
reduce the threat during
the night.
• If 昀椀re danger is at night,
plan shi昀琀s across the sleep
period with your family,
housemates or neighbours
so you can sleep knowing
you will be awoken by
someone if necessary.
• Know exactly what you
will do if you need to
evacuate at night and plan
to be able to do this very
quickly. Communicate
plans with your children.
Have things ready for pet
evacua琀椀on too.
• If you feel you need
updates on the 昀椀re
situa琀椀on via your mobile
during the night, set an
alarm so you can get some
deep sleep in between
checks. If you rely on self-
waking, you are likely to
have a much lighter sleep.
CALM YOUR MIND
• If you are a worrier, make a
‘worry 琀椀me’ each day and
write out all your worries.
Think about op琀椀ons on
how to deal with those
worries and write these
out. Work out what worries
you can do something
about and try not to dwell
on those you have no
control over. During the
sleep period tell yourself
you will worry again during
tomorrow’s ‘worry 琀椀me’.
• Avoid dwelling on
distressing ‘worst-case
scenarios’ and ‘what ifs’,
especially in the hour
before bed and in bed.
• Take the 琀椀me to learn how
to relax so you can do this
during the night if you
can’t sleep. An App called
‘Smiling Mind’ has helpful