Coping with stress

Coping with stress

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Stress affects each one of us; it is a normal part of life.  With the current pandemic sweeping the nation and the globe, things seem like they are in a heightened state of stress.  Regardless of what is going on within our country’s own boarders or internationally, Tactical Athletes are still required to perform their normal duties and responsibilities.  As the first ones called to a disaster, Firefighters, Police Officers, and Military personnel are often running directly into dangerous areas and situations.  In some cases short-term doses of stress is beneficial and may help with work-related tasks and promote a healthy life-style.  However, long-term, untreated stress leads to numerous negative health conditions and diagnoses.  How you handle stress affects your health, wellbeing, and job performance. 

Short-term benefits of stress

·         Helps in difficult work situations

·         Helps you learn and grow

·         Promotes change

·         Provides a source of motivation

Negative long-term effects of stress

·         Anxiety

·         Chronic pain

·         Complex regional pain syndrome

·         Depression

·         Difficulty breathing

·         Eating disorders

·         Heart disease

·         Hypersensitivity syndromes (to touch, smells, sound, foods, and medications)

·         Insomnia

·         Irritable bowel syndrome

·         Myofascial pain syndrome

·         Migraine headaches

·         Tension headaches

·         Obsessive-compulsive disorder

·         Piriformis syndrome

·         Post-traumatic stress disorder

·         Substance use disorders

·         Tachycardia

·         Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome

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How to cope with stress

·         Eat healthy

·         Get enough sleep

·         Identify your triggers

·         Improve skills such as time management, problem-solving, and prioritizing tasks

·         Limit screen time

·         Relaxation techniques – deep breathing, meditation, exercise, yoga, prayer, mindfulness, setting aside “me time”

·         Talk to someone

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Stress affects everyone.  How you handle stress significantly impacts your health, well-being, and job performance.  Additionally, your response to stress also affects your fellow Tactical Athletes, friends, and family.  Learning how to properly and effectively manage your stress is important for creating both a healthy life-style and promoting an effective work environment.  You cannot take care of others if you do not take care of yourself. 

Please stay safe during this pandemic and thank you very much for your service and for all the sacrifices you make each and every day. 

By:  J. Scott, DPT, ATC, TSAC-F


Sources:
The Mayo Clinic
Psychophysiologic Disorders Association