3.Explain techniques that a law enforcement officer can use to modify the effects of stress - Essay Example

Explain techniques that a law enforcement officer can use to modify the effects of stress The law enforcement officers play a crucial responsibility in public, but stress potentially lowers the effectiveness of the workforces. As asserted by Jacobson (1938), stress may affect a person’s working condition, his/her social life and life of others. The ability of the officer to manage stress is risky not only on their health, but to the wellbeing of the society. The technique to use will depend on the effect of stress to the officer.

The most commonly used techniques are relaxation and breathing techniques. Scientist research indicates that the way one breathes affects the body function. Some of the effects of stress include, slow digestion, increasing heart rate, speeds up metabolism and blood pressure. An Officer likely to have the above named effects is a threat not only to the officer’s health, but to the public too (Williams, and Harris, 1998). A law enforcement officer may opt to use the slow and deep breathing technique.

He/she should look for a comfortable and quite place with no distractions. The officer should locate one hand on the lower abdomen and the other on the upper chest. In using the lower hand, he/she should try to breath. After managing to breath, he/she should try to manage the rate of breathing by holding the breath. He/she should try out the exercise for several times until the body familiarizes with the practice. This is one way of fighting stress. It is a simple and mostly used to counteract effects of stress too (Williams and Harris, 1998).

The muscle relaxation technique is also an option to modify the effects of stress. One should lie down in a comfortable place away from the noise. Then, shut the eyes and concentrate on breathing out slowly pausing a little before breathing again. Concentrate all the muscles in the left foot and hold for some seconds. Thereafter, release the muscle concentration after some time and do the same for the other foot. Later concentrate all the muscles in the left leg and relax, then repeat the same procedure in the right leg.

The process should be carried out in every part of the body (Jacobson, 1938). For all kind of stress-related problems that any law enforcement officer faces, such as, muscle tension, depression, heart disease, digestive problems or chronic fatigue among other, it is certain that either of the two techniques must modify the effects of stress (Jacobson, 1938).ReferencesWilliams, J. M. and Harris, D. V. (1998). Relaxation and energizing technique for regulation of arousal. In J.M.

Williams (Ed.), Applied Sports Psychology, 219-36.Jacobson, E. (1938). Progressive Relaxation. University of Chicago Press, Chicago (2ndEd.), 64-68