Police officers also need to put their health first and find meaning outside of work. Policing is one of the most stressful jobs, according to a review published in BMC Public Health. Law enforcement officers are constantly exposed to dangerous situations and carry a lot of responsibility on their shoulders.
Additionally, their work and daily activities are under scrutiny. Frequent rotating shifts, heavy workload and overtime can further increase their stress levels. What keeps them going is the desire to help others and excel in their roles. Those who pursue this career path are often more resilient in the face of stress than civilians, suggests BMC Public Health. However, they still face unique challenges as part of their day-to-day work.
The threats to their health and safety and the fragmented nature of their work are major stressors. Police officers also need to control their emotions in extreme situations. Organizational pressure, low wages, job insecurity and other administrative stressors play a role, too, suggests a study featured in the American Journal of Criminal Justice.
Many police officers have difficulty dealing with family disputes and people in pain or distress. The thought of killing someone in the line of duty can make them feel emotionally drained. Women have to deal with additional challenges, such as the need to prove themselves to others.
In the long run, police stress can lead to depression, heart disease, sleep disorders, neurological problems and suicidal thoughts, according to a Policing article. While it's impossible to eliminate stress, you can take steps to mitigate its impact. First of all, you need to prioritize your health. Second, it's important to have a support system in place.
Coping strategies, such as meditation, physical exercise and mindfulness practices, can be helpful, too. Police officers are on their feet most of the time. However, it's one thing to be physically active at work and another thing to hit the gym or play sports. While these demands do not inevitably lead to negative outcomes, they can lead to stress, anxiety and resulting health problems if officers lack sufficient support and resources.
For law enforcement agencies, officer stress manifests as increased absenteeism, turnover, and declines in performance, including slower reaction time, poorer decision-making ability, and increases in complaints, policy violations, and misconduct allegations. Researchers and practitioners have made genuine attempts to identify ways of reducing officer stress, and some interventions have shown positive effects. Examples of such strategies include:.
Despite these promising strategies, most research on intervention studies to reduce officer stress shows no, or very small, effects. This relative lack of success is a major public health issue; prolonged exposure to stress and trauma can have serious, and even life-threatening, consequences. Last year, more officers died by suicide than in the line of duty. To address this problem, we need to acknowledge the major limitations of existing research.
However, too much stress can affect your emotional and physical well-being and can cause significant problems in your life at home, work, and school. Fortunately, if you are experiencing negative stress in your life there are ways in which you can effectively manage it. These are just a few suggestions.
Your situation is different and as unique as you are. There are some circumstances in which this might seem impossible, but the key is to keep moving forward and to remain as positive as possible. Stress is common in all of our lives, but as long as we look for ways to effectively manage it and seek help when we feel we are not able to, we can make it through.
Many times, we find ourselves coming out of a stressful situation stronger than before. The most important thing is to recognize when you feel stressed and work to identify what is causing it. Once stress is acknowledged, officers can work to effectively manage it and not let it consume their lives. About the Author : Michelle L. Beshears earned her baccalaureate degrees in social psychology and criminal justice and graduate degrees in human resource development and criminology from Indiana State University.
She most recently completed her Ph. Michelle served in the U. Army for 11 years. Will Erstad Callie Malvik Anjali Stenquist This piece of ad content was created by Rasmussen University to support its educational programs. Rasmussen University may not prepare students for all positions featured within this content.
Please visit www. External links provided on rasmussen. Rasmussen University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U. Department of Education. Communicate with your friends on the force Camaraderie often runs high in police departments PDs.
Have a support system Though it might be hard to explain your day to family and friends, it is vital that you maintain your support systems outside of the PD. Exercise Physical exercise is one of the most important preventative measures you can take against stress and burnout. Enlist psychological help When you know something is getting to you, find a professional to talk to. Practice gratitude It can also be helpful to get in a habit of repositioning your mindset to one of gratitude.
Prioritize sleep Working odd hours is a definite stressor according to McKenna. Talk to people in your community Police officers deal with the worst of society, McKenna says. Request More Information. Talk with an admissions advisor today. First Name Please enter your first name. Last Name Please enter your last name.
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