STRESS AWARNESS AND RESORCES

 

The Job asks for so much of us, professionally, personally, emotionally, mentally, and believe it or not physically. People think just because we are safe behind a phone nd a computer screen we aren't subject to stress, but because we are behind the screen and phone they don't see what we go through. They don't see what we are asked to do and handle alone. they don't see that even though we are "safe" our heartrate skyrockets, that we work up a sweat while being stationary. There's an instant reaction to what we are hearing or not hearing in some cases. stress in the dispatch center can come from dealing with emergencies that's almost expected but what about the other stressors of the job. Having multiple officers need things from you but you only are one person so its taking a bit more time than they like or want for you to get it done. Or the stress of being under staffed, having to constantly be at the desk and missing family activities or having to go without sleep because you worked a 16 hour shift, still had house chores that NEEDED to get done (cuz lets admit we put off doing the laundry long enough and your are out of underwear and clean pants and showing up in your PJ's is frowned upon by admin). Speaking of Admin what about the stress they put on us to do the work of 8 people only staffed with 3. Even if we take the stress from listening to emergencies in real time out of the equation there is so much more we face in the dispatch center and it piles on to the outside stress from home life. 

November 2nd is National Stress Awareness day. So lets be aware of the stress we experience try to not work through it but work past it. acknowledge when your stressed even if you have to whisper it to yourself out loud, take a moment feel it and acknowledge it then take the best rout to alleviate it in the capacity you are allotted. If you don't know what to do, let me suggest some options:

1. MOVE! Its proven that you need to burn off the cortisol released. so if you are able to take a lap do it. or like in our center we have a treadmill and an under desk stair stepper, pull those babies out and get to moving, burn it off and you'll feel better.

2. cant move? BREATH. I know this sounds stupid and you hear it every where... But humor me, you don't have to do the silly 4 count breathing but just a deep breath in and audibly let it out. Again i know its silly and some one might make a comment about you sighing or being 
"huffy" but screw them. When you actually allow your self to audibly release your breath it tricks the mind to also let go of the stressor, agitator or what ever is causing a issue. 

3. Drink water... its that simple take a sip. No one likes a dehydrated bunker bitch anyway. TAKE A SIP. the cold water and the momentary micro break from the task at hand can honestly be a quick little reset. its defiantly not a permeant fix but for 2 seconds it'll help and water helps rejuvenate your cells, all your cells brain, blood, EVERYTHING in your body loves that water, when you rejuvenate your cells they they will return the favor and rejuvenate you!

4. Write it down! and BURN IT!(disclaimer DO NOT light fires at work!) this is my personal favorite, Write the thoughts out when you have a second to breath (pun is very much intended here.. wink wink) you can write anything and everything no one will ever have to read it.   Put those thoughts of throttling that one coworker who is all about them self and keep screwing you over on some paper, or how about all the bad names you have made for that one Karen that always calls but never treats you with any common decency or respect even though you still give her your 100% like every other caller, yup those too on the sheet they go! it doesn't have to be all angry stress either, if its something sad but stressing you out haha you guest it, on the paper therapist it goes. Home stress, hubby or wifey nagging you about the to do list? write the raw emotion and thought process down and when you are starting to feel better about the stress burn or shred the paper. Watch it happen, visually take in the symbolism of letting it go. 

5. and last but not least if none of this is helping realize Chronic stress and PTSD may require outside help to combat. THERE IS NO SHAME IN NEEDING OUTSIDE HELP TO MANNAGE YOUR STRESS IN THIS INDUSRY!!!!!   Never let anyone say otherwise. Untreated stress can lead to physical illness, more serious mental illness and even death. YOUR LIFE IS NOT WORTH BOTTLING IT UP!! 

IF YOU NEED HELP THERE IS RESOUCES SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR FIRST RESPONDERS!!  ILL LIST THEM BELOW!

FIRE/EMS HELPLINE: 1-888-731-3473

FRONTLINE HELPLINE: 1-866-676-7500

OR VISIT

WWW.CODEGREENCAMPAIGN.ORG/RESOURCES