How to Reduce the Overall Level of Stress - Essay Example

Section/# Preparing for Stress Scholarship has specifically been focused upon the means by which individualsthat work within the first responder community can reduce the overall levels of stress that they face on a daily basis. As a function of this particular focus, a litany of different studies has been represented which seeks to determine the best approach and strategy that organizations of first responders, as well as the individuals themselves, can employ as a function of making their work less stressful. However, there is an alternate approach and one that has the potential to greatly and drastically reduce the overall level stress first responders face on a daily basis. As such, instead of approaching this stress ex post facto, and attempting to assist the individual in recovering from the different types of stress they might encounter during the course of their normal job duties, it is necessary to tackle this issue on the front it; namely by helping to prepare and otherwise assist the first responder with approaches, strategies, tips, and training that can allow them adequately deal with these issues and know how to approach them prior to systemic or chronic stress being the automatic response that the first responder might come to feel. Accordingly, the forthcoming analysis will delve into some of the ways in which both the individual as well as the organization can work together to accomplish these core goals. Firstly, and perhaps most obviously, the organization that represents the first responders plays an integral role with respect to stress reduction and assisting individual members in preparing for stress. This of course relates to the manner by which ongoing training is provided that allows first responders an outlet to discuss and analyze the different stress soars that they will face on a daily basis and provide them with adequate resources, protocol, and knowledge with regard to how they should engage with these stress sources. For years, individuals within the first responder community where I have the resources and training with respect to the different types of stress they would face on a daily basis. Ultimately, the failure of this particular as noted in the high rates of birth, PTSD, and other negative physiological or psychological impact of first responders that were not familiar with tactics or approaches towards the only with the unexpected levels of stress that would face in the course of performing their daily duties (Haugen et al., 2012). However, great change has been evidenced over the past several years as individual organizations that represent first responders, both at the city, County, and national level, as well as unions and professional groups, have come to appreciate the means by which ongoing training for the individual first responder with coping strategies and mechanisms by which they will be more amenable to dealing with the ongoing daily stress they are invariably destined to expect. Another salient approach that has been utilized heavily within the law enforcement community is with regard to insisting that individual policemen leverage their training as a crutch for the unexpected. In years past, discretion of the police officer was something that allow for a great guy diversity of approach with respect to the way in which crime or issues involving citizens were dealt with. However, it was soon realized that this particular drawing approach was ineffective towards providing a baseline mechanism through which the officer could engage the individuals in question. In this manner, police officers around the country have placed an increased level of focus on following their training verbatim and insuring that all interactions take place based upon the existing set of protocols that they are practiced and are familiar with (Robbers & Jenkins, 2005). Although this is potentially impersonal, it provides the first responder with a great deal of certainty of the approach that partially insures that regardless of the response that they might receive, they can in turn respond to this based upon existing protocol and training that they have become extremely familiar with over the past several years or months of performing their job duties (Regehr & Bober, 2005). Thus far, the analysis has focused specifically upon the means by which first responders can prepare for stress in the long term; namely via training and relying upon existing knowledge to determine the way in which they interact with stressful situations. However, even a cursory level of understanding concerning the efficacy of training reveals the fact that it can only be accomplished during certain limited time frames. However, the degree and extent to which stress is exhibited within the life of the first responder is not limited to short or specific period of time; rather, it is an ever present reality that faces each and every individual within the first responder community (Farchi et al., 2014). As such, further scholarship reveals the fact that the daily briefing, or whatever it might be called within a specific group of first responders when they meet upon starting their shift, is an essential complement towards preparing these individuals with the stresses that they may face, directing them towards relevant training material, and reiterating the fact that certain psychological assistance is available to the department or individuals that might need to avail themselves of it. The importance of the daily briefing is essential due to the fact that it helps to reinforce the training strategies that have been promoted at previous times within the career of the first responder. Whereas it might not be possible to continually provide costly and lengthy training programs, it is possible to reference the major highlights of these and discussed/reinforce how they can be applied within the realm of first responders as a means of preparing for the stresses that might exist and dealing with them accordingly. A litany of different studies have indicated that this preparatory daily briefing is as essential in reducing the overall stress of the first responder as compared to a lengthy training seminar or set similar training methods. From the information that has thus far been engaged, it is clear and apparent that stress within the first responder community is an ever present reality. However, even though this is the case, it should not be understood that the department or organization that represents the first responder bears little or no culpability and helping to assist in stress reduction or preparing these individuals the stresses that they might face on a daily basis or as the result of performing the tasks associated with their job. Instead, it is an essential complement of these organizations/departments to ensure that the first responder has necessary resources and his brief regarding some of the potential stress reduction policies and tactics that can be employed within the course of their jobs. Whereas it is impossible to seek to reduce all levels of stress from job that inherently involve putting one’s life on the line and/or risking the lives of others, it is possible to continually reinforce the fact that the job is stressful; however, certain or strategies and approaches can be utilized as a means of effectively reducing the stress and providing a better work environment to all individuals involved. Even though there remains a great deal of improvement to be affected within the first responder community and the means by which stress is prepared for, the current situation that is exhibited within the first responders of today is inherently better as compared to the situation that was exhibited within first responder communities several decades past; due mainly to the fact that mechanisms and understandings of stress and how it could be ameliorated/prepared for were largely absent. References Farchi, M., Cohen, A., & Mosek, A. (2014). Developing Specific Self-Efficacy and Resilience for First Responders. Journal Of Teaching In Social Work, 34(2), 129-146. doi:10.1080/08841233.2014.894602 Haugen, P. T., Evces, M., & Weiss, D. S. (2012). Treating stress disorder in first responders. Clinical Psychology Review, 32(5), 370-380. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2012.04.001 Regehr, C., & Bober, T. (2005). In the line of fire: Trauma in the Emergency Services. Robbers, M. P., & Jenkins, J. (2005). Symptomatology of Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorder among First Responders to the Pentagon on 9/11: A Preliminary Analysis of Arlington County Police First Responders. Police Practice & Research, 6(3), 235-249. doi:10.1080/15614260500206244 Read More