Posted: 12/5/2014 12:02:43 PM EDT
| Would like to know how others deal with the stress of 12-18 hour shifts, constant mandates, away from loved ones, and regular job stress? |
| Get in a workout routine. Even better if you can get your wife involved so it can be something you do together instead of something else that takes you away from her. As far as kids etc. I just have to suck it up and lose some of my sleep hours to make sure I get up and spend the time I can with them. It took me several years to learn how not to bring m y job related anger/stress home but when you leave it at work it really does make things at home so much better. It can be difficult especially since im in a position to be called out on my personal time, but it can work. |
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Find a way to take time off work. Even if that means you lose some money. If you are so strapped financially that you can't take time off...then your expenses are too high. Pare back your expenses.
If work is forcing you to work overtime, explain to your chain of command that you need some time off for your sanity and for your family. If they refuse to understand that, then it's time to look for a new job. |
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I can and can't comment on this effectively, but I will try as I have extensive experience in mental health.
When I started out, I was working 60-80 hour weeks across three jobs (EMT, Med Helo Dispatch, and PD) while pursuing my masters degree. I worked every single day with the exception of every other Saturday and Sunday, during which I would see the amazing woman that I have since made my wife. I dealt with the stress by reminding myself that I was pursuing a career that I absolutely loved and that one day, I would land my dream job within the field. After 1.5 years of this, I graduated with a 3.9 GPA two months after starting full time with a department which I believe to be one of the best in the world. Its very easy to focus on the negativity surrounding bad supervisors, crappy hours, mandates, etc. These stresses undoubtedly effect everyone's family life to some degree, it comes with the territory. You need to dig deep down and figure out if this job is what you truly love to the point that it defines you. If not, I would suggest making a change, even if it is only to another department, perhaps in a different demographic. I have worked and volunteered for the richest and poorest of the Police, Fire & EMS agencies and I can tell you that each facet has its pros and cons. However, at the end of the day, as much as I may miss some of the action of the poorer ones, I am able to chuckle at the first world problems that get on my coworker's nerves now. Only you can find a solution for yourself. I would speak to your loved ones about your troubles, you may find that you have more support than you knew about and that may make all the difference in your self actualization. I for one, make sure to share almost every part of my day with my wife, especially the bad calls. It helps me cope with what I have been through, while including her in the hardest parts of my life. I hate to burden her with some of it as I know she worries, but I would rather her know and understand me at the deepest levels rather than risk losing her altogether. We are a family and a brotherhood and I am always willing to listen if you need an outside ear. PM me if you need and I will give you my number. |
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I don't let it get to me as best as I can
I recognize that I get burnt out every 6 months and need a change I used to use my Guard time as a way to decompress from the LE side. While I might have stressful days, the next day is a new day You have to enjoy whatever work you do to begin with If you hate your job then you're just stressed out from the get go |
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Quoted:
Try the stress of a Monday through Friday CID posting.... It's WAY worse than Patrol ever was. This, while fun and what I got into police work to do my time (total of 11years) in the DB and other investigative units damn near killed me (metaphorically). Now I'm a patrol Sgt and it's about the easiest best position Ive ever had lol. Op as for dealing with stress and long hours hobbies help. If I'm not working or with family/friends off duty I'm standing in a river fly fishing. As for dealing with it on a daily basis, there is a traffic light 1/2 way between home and work. Once I pass the light on the way home there is no more thinking about work. J- Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
| Different field but similar in stress levels. Once I get in my car I do not think about work again. I will talk about medical calls with my wife (a nurse) on the phone while at work if it is an interesting situation but don't ever delve into the sad/bad calls. I will let her know sometimes if I had one and I think it will effect me (it has been a long time since one has) but I don't get into it. If it is just the hours, find a different shift or department if it is wrecking your home life. I love my job, I love what I do, but it is a job and as soon as it starts fucking my life up I will be looking for a different one. That sounds crazy I know, and every job has it's bad days, but if they really start being regularly bad and screwing with you when you are off all the time it is time to make a change. |