Your Eyes Have Seen More Than Most
As a First Responder, you have seen more than most can ever imagine or will ever dream of seeing. These visions are now a part of who have become and the question is; have these visions changed you? If you have a family and close friends, they might recognize changes in you that you do not realize. What are you doing to take care of yourself and not let the evil become a part of you? Here are 12 steps to incorporate into your life to help add balance to get you through your career as a First Responder:
1. Recognize the importance of family. These are the people that love and support you and will be there through thick and thin. Time flies, but taking the time to make memories is imperative to not feel as though you have let opportunities slip away. Keep lines of communication open and make an effort to include them at a level that is comfortable for you with daily events at work.
2. Incorporate physical exercise into your routine. This does not have to be strenuous or record-breaking, but something to get your heart pumping and allow for a release of endorphins. This will also keep you strong and healthy to perform better at work.
3. Maintain relationships outside of your career field. This will give you an opportunity to socialize and develop other interests.
4. Get adequate rest. Shift work can make it difficult to maintain a traditional sleep schedule, so take advantage of every chance to sleep and allow the brain to rejuvenate.
5. Celebrate small victories. Reward yourself for life accomplishments and reaching goals such as: a child’s good report card, completing a school assignments, home improvement projects or finishing a work project.
6. Find a spiritual connection. This can provide a way to accept some of the evil and ugly incidents witnessed over the course of a career.
7. Spend time away from work. Away from work means more than scheduled days off. Take a vacation and connect with nature, do some sightseeing or a “stay-cation” and leave work completely behind.
8. Laugh. This might seem like an easy one and a no-brainer, but it can work wonders for your mood. Laughing can be done by watching a movie, television show or just laughing at yourself.
9. Try new things. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. You never know what interests you can discover.
10. Eat healthy. This can take effort with shift work, but it must be done to remain healthy. Sometimes instead of making big lifestyle changes, this can be done with small changes; substitute fruit or vegetables for french fries, reduce your portion size, increase water intake and reduce soda or sugary beverage consumption.
11. Take time to care for yourself. This can be done by getting a massage, engaging in hobbies, meditating, reading, and many more relaxing activities. Don’t allow others to always come first or mix up self-care with selfishness. Taking care of yourself can make you more prepared to take care of others.
12. Pay it forward. This could be one of the most beneficial to your overall being. Doing something nice for someone else provides a sense of self-worth and can boost your serotonin levels.
