Unfortunately when you are feeling low or distressed looking after yourself can feel quite difficult, so here are some ideas to help:

• Take time to relax, make an effort to build it into your day. Even just time to think about things that make you feel calm, listening to music or reading can help to make you feel better. Or you could use specific relaxation techniques such as meditation, or pre-recorded relaxation tapes.
• Changing your breathing is one of the quickest and most effective ways of changing how you feel. The thing to remember is that prolonging your out-breath will help to make you feel calmer. When you are stressed you tend to breathe too shallowly, so take a few moments to breathe in through your nose and then after a brief pause, let the air out quite slowly, repeat as necessary.
• Physical exercise triggers brain chemicals that will improve your mood, so try to increase the amount of physical exercise that you take, even if it is a brisk walk to the shops or jumping up and down on the spot.
• Try to keep a clear perspective on the good things in your life, try not to over generalise your thoughts; if one thing goes wrong, remember it is one thing and not everything in your life.
• Try to avoid drinking too much tea and coffee as caffeine can increase anxiety levels.
• Remember alcohol is a depressant, even if it makes you feel better temporarily.
• Try to increase the amount of fresh fruit, vegetables and fibre that you eat. It will make you feel healthier and increase the amount of energy that you have.