Let's face it, emergencies can be scary and stressful.

They create upheaval and havoc faster than you have time to process what's going on, and can take years to recover from.

When most people experience a lot of stress they don't think as clearly as usual, affecting decisions and reactions.

Taking the time to learn how to get prepared mentally could help you respond better to an emergency.

The first step to help you cope is to think ahead about how you and your family are likely to feel and react, both during and after an emergency.

It's also very important to invest in your mental wellbeing now, and know some good ways to cope with negative stress when it happens.