Coping With Stress

SHADOWS OF THE BADGE

Helping those who have sworn to protect and serve

THINGS TO TRY:

· WITHING THE FIRST 24-48 HOURS periods of appropriate physical exercise, alternated with relaxation will alleviate some of the physical reactions.

· Structure your time; keep busy

· You’re normal and having normal reactions; don’t label yourself as crazy.

· Talk to people; talk is the most healing medicine.

· Be aware of numbing the pain with overuse of drugs or alcohol, you don’t need to complicate this with substance abuse problems.

· Reach out; people do care.

· Maintain as normal a schedule as possible.

· Spend time with others.

· Help your co-workers as much as possible by sharing feelings and checking out how they are doing.

· Give yourself permission to feel rotten and share your feelings with others.

· Keep a journal; write your way through those sleepless hours.

· Do things that feel good to you.

· Realize those around you are under stress.

· Don’t make any big life changes.

· Do make as many daily decisions as possible that will give you a feeling of control over your life, i.e., if someone asks you what you want to eat, answer even if you are not sure.

· Get plenty of rest.

· Don’t try to fight reoccurring thoughts, dreams or flashbacks—they are normal and will decrease over time and become less painful.

· Eat well-balanced and regular meals (even if you don’t feel like it).

FOR FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS:

· Listen carefully.

· Spend time with the traumatized person.

· Offer your assistance and a listening ear if they have not asked for it.

· Reassure them that they are safe.

· Help them with everyday tasks like cleaning, cooking, caring for the family, minding children.

· Give them some private time.

· Don’t take their anger or other feelings personally.

· Don’t tell them that they are “lucky it wasn’t worse;” a traumatized person is not consoled by those statements. Instead, tell them that your are sorry such an event has occurred and you want to understand and assist them.

COPING WITH STRESS: