It is important to take care of your physical health and pay attention to your body!

Try to understand what your body tells you. We are all different, and react to stress differently. It is useful to be able to recognise stress in ourselves, so we can take better care of ourselves during these times.

• Try to understand how your body feels when sad, stressed or angry. 
• Do you get headaches or become irritable or very forgetful? 
• Is it more difficult to make decisions or concentrate? 
• Do you feel tearful or get very sleepy? 
• Is your breathing very fast and shallow? 
• Do you experience gastro-intestinal problems like, butterflies in the tummy, feel nauseous, very hungry or get diarrhoea? 

Other important parts of self- care include: 

• Pay attention to your nutrition 
• Try not to skip meals. Pack a lunch to take to work. Healthy meal choices will give you energy while too much caffeine, sugar, nicotine or starchy food can make you feel tired and make your mood and stress worse. 
• Remember to drink enough water throughout the day. 
• Take a walk or do some other exercise 
• Try to spend time outside in the fresh air, and if possible with nature. This can be very relaxing and is good for our physical health. Go outside for your tea break, or take a walk after work with a friend, relative or colleague. 
• Get enough sleep 
• Lack of sleep can make it difficult to concentrate, and affect the way we work and how well we can manage stress. 

“Support networks” are an important part of care which are outside of ourselves! 

Identify your support networks 

Do you have close friend or family member you can talk to when you are troubled? Do you find it helpful to visit your church and discuss your problems with someone there? Make time to socialise outside of work with friends who are positive and have healthy habits Avoid people who are critical, judgemental or negative. 

It is important to look after your own mental health and this self-care section gives quick and easy exercises which may help relax the brain during stressful times.