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Are You "Fit" for Duty - Part II: Emotional Fitness
by Columnist Matt Zadvansky
Jul 22, 2005, 10:21
A career in emergency medical services is simultaneously the most rewarding and
most frustrating career you can imagine. It's a non-stop chain of highs and
lows. You must endure horrific experiences people should never have to
experience (trauma, dead or dying patients, sick or abused children and the
like). But you also get to behold moments of complete joy most people never have
the opportunity to experience (birth of a child, heroic acts of family and
friends, easing a patient's physical pain).
As EMSr's, we suffer from one of the highest divorce, suicide, and substance
abuse rates of any profession. Response experiences, fluctuating shift patterns,
threats of personal harm, fatigue from aggressive system status management plans
and constantly being on 'edge' can shatter the most solid emotional
constitution. How you handle the turmoil of these wildly diverse emotions could
literally mean the difference between life and death - yours!
The key to emotional survival is BALANCE! Some call this the "Work Hard - Play
Hard" philosophy. EMSr's are adrenaline junkies. Let's face it, there is no rush
like screaming lights and siren to a child drowning call, doing five minutes of
resuscitation and having the child start breathing again. The problem is, the
adrenaline is addicting. The more we get, the more we want. Sooner or later,
we'll do anything for the 'thrill'. We work more and more to get more and more
speed. This leads to - you guessed it - burnout!
Here are some tips on maintaining balance in your life to improve your emotional
fitness.
#1: Get a Life…
While EMS is an addicting career, it cannot be our whole life. I learned this
one the hard way - two failed marriages and a complete focus on what I was, not
who I was. Find interests that you can be as passionate about as you are about
work. It doesn't matter what it is - fishing, reading, skydiving, sports
activities, or even basket weaving - just SOMETHING! For me, it's fitness and
Harley's. As you gain enjoyment for varied and balanced interests, you will
achieve balance in your passions and learn who you are - outside of work.
#2: Take a Hike…
Physical activity is a great way to relieve stress and gain emotional balance.
It works on both a chemical and emotional level. Remember as a kid you would
stomp your feet, punch your pillow or run away when you were upset? That is a
subconscious way your body and mind deals with stress. Chemicals released during
even mild exertion help neutralize the stress level. Do something physical after
work to decompress your psyche.
#3: Leave Work - at Work…
Like Vegas, what happens there, stays there. Now, of course it's ok to share
some of your experiences and the cool things you experienced while at work
(obviously within the confines of privacy laws), but generally, leave the
emotional chaos at work. There are a number of strategies you can use to
accomplish this. Some people never wear their uniform home. They bring clothes
to change into before going home. Not only is this a good way to limit carrying
the biohazard waste home, it also prevents carrying the emotional waste home.
It's a mental thing. You may notice that police officers do this a lot as a
coping mechanism. You can also identify a specific area on your way home as an
emotional transition point. Commit to yourself that a particular stop sign or
landmark on your drive home is an imaginary drop off point. The place you leave
your work issues behind and begin to focus on home issues.
The whole socialization thing is difficult as well. We all have friends at work,
but it is important to not have your work acquaintances as your sole social
acquaintances. EMS tends to be a very close nit social class, but the more you
socialize with work friends outside of work, the more out of balance your life
may become.
#4: Give Back to Your Community…
Volunteer at something. Whether it's a big brother - big sister program,
homeless shelter, food pantry, church, neighborhood association or some other
personal cause, become part of something larger than yourself. By focusing on
programs that make your world a better place, you build self-esteem beyond being
an EMT, paramedic or fire fighter. Your volunteer efforts should be something
totally different than EMS to further help with your emotional balance.
#5: Eat Well…
Put down your Chicken Wings and Snickers bar and pick up the carrots and apple.
What you eat plays a huge roll in emotional stability and balance. Foods high in
caffeine and sugar raise your blood pressure and stress your digestive system.
Fruits, veggies, nuts and protein help maintain the proper chemical balance
which in turn helps your emotional balance.
#6: Sleep Well…
This is a tough one sometimes, especially if you're on rotating shift patterns,
but there are a few strategies that can help you sleep better (notice I did not
say LONGER!).
o Clear your mind before you go to bed. One of the best ways to do this is to
write down things you want to do tomorrow, the next day, next week, etc. Once
it's on paper, it can be purged from your mind and you won't think about it
while trying to sleep.
o Don't watch the news, right before bed. Most news is bad. Murder, mayhem,
abuse, crashes, and generally man's inhumanity to man. These thoughts will
disturb your sleep subconsciously. Better to read a good (or even boring) book,
or a silly TV show before bed time.
o Stop caffeine intake at least 4 hours before bed time (a no brainer)
Finally, seek guidance from close confidants. There are people around you who
care about you and probably know you better than you know yourself. These
precious people can be a perfect source of insight and assistance. Don't be
afraid of honest, well-intended advice. It may be difficult to hear sometimes
and for sure, do not shoot the messenger. There is no greater adversary than a
friend who cares more about your comfort than your character.