| Are you a paramedic, fire fighter, law | | | | EAT RIGHT and EXERCISE |
| enforcement officer or dispatcher? Is your job | | | | The food that we eat has a profound affect on |
| creating stress and anxiety at home and at | | | | our attitude and well-being. Eating natural, whole |
| work? If you are, then this is for you. | | | | foods will help you feel better, have more energy |
| Spending many years as an EMT and paramedic, | | | | and reduce the stress that accompanies poor |
| and working in a 9-1-1 center, I am very much | | | | eating habits. |
| aware of the stress that can accumulate working | | | | Of course it is a well known fact that exercise is |
| in emergency services. The causes of stress in | | | | good for you. It helps reduce the stress |
| emergency services are too many to list, but | | | | hormones in your body that cause health |
| include: long 10 to 24 hour shifts causing fatigue; | | | | problems. Being in emergency services requires |
| angry, emotional and violent victims, patients and | | | | that you are physically fit; however, mental |
| bystanders; catastrophic/mass casualty situations; | | | | fitness is also important to reducing stress. |
| radio communications; poor eating habits; | | | | In emergency services, every day includes |
| excessive noise; and, the physical demands of the | | | | reading, puzzles and brain teasers. However, |
| job. | | | | taking part in activities of which you can do for |
| Stress can cause some very common | | | | fun in your leisure time, including a hobby, a |
| health-related problems including fatigue, insomnia, | | | | project at home or playing a game, are great |
| high blood pressure, cancer, stroke, heart attacks | | | | mental fitness exercises you can do. |
| and other illnesses. Unless you take control and | | | | LIVE, LOVE and LAUGH |
| learn how to manage the stress, it may lead to | | | | Enjoy every moment with your family and |
| chronic illness, drug and alcohol abuse, and sudden | | | | friends. Every day you go to work, you are |
| death if not managed properly. These are the | | | | reminded of how life is precious and too short. |
| very things that consume your day in emergency | | | | You just never know what can happen next. |
| services. | | | | For this reason, it is important to enjoy your life, |
| The 6 Steps of Stress RELIEF can help you gain | | | | love the people around you and have fun when |
| control of what is causing you stress and help | | | | you are with them. |
| you lead a more peaceful life. Continue reading | | | | INNER PEACE |
| to discover the first 4 strategies. | | | | Inner peace can be found through meditation, |
| RELAX | | | | faith and spirituality. This is a more personal area |
| Yes, I know. It is easier said than done. With a | | | | of which you need to determine what will work |
| few quick strategies to do during the day, you will | | | | best for you. It may involve prayer, going to |
| start feeling more relaxed. | | | | church or having a few moments alone to |
| Start by writing down what is causing you stress; | | | | meditate or read. |
| then, write down possible solutions. Sometimes | | | | To begin your stress relief journey, make a list of |
| writing down the issues can help inspire solutions. | | | | those you are going to implement and put them |
| Keep a gratitude journal. Daily gratitude helps | | | | into action. By doing so, you are inviting |
| keep you focused on what is good in your life: | | | | gratitude, balance and tranquility into your life. Be |
| your family, your friends, your home and helping | | | | sure to check our Part 2 of this article for the |
| others, etc. When you focus on the positive | | | | last two strategies. |
| things, more come your way. | | | | |