For public workers who are working in dangerous environments regularly, it is not a matter of time for them to be exposed to a traumatic event, but of when and how many times they are going to be exposed to these events across their careers. Even though several workers who have experienced traumatic events emerge with severe psychological consequences, such as the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or (PSTD), they are continuously experiencing stressful circumstances, which can take a tool on the health of a person. Physical and psychological wellness for these workers can be a major problem because of what they are doing and experiencing on the job.

For instance, police officers are experiencing alarming high rates of alcoholism, divorces, and suicide. They are 7 times more likely to commit suicide as compared to a member of a general public. On top of that, the life expectancy of a police officer is 10 years less than that of the people in other occupations. A study of National Center for Health Statistics in 2000 has found that even though men are living an average of 77 years and females on an average of 80 years, police officers lived an average of 66 years, with an increased risk of illness induced by stress, which include cancer and heart disease.

Fire fighters are also seeing an increase in domestic problems, suicide, and illness. People in these services need to cope with the adrenaline, emotions, and negativity that they experienced in their line of work, which is able to put their health at risk. In a law enforcement, there are several things that police offices and other people cannot control. They are not able to control when the emergency calls come in. They do not have control on what they should be facing when they arrive at a call. Many times, they do not have control on their schedule. Wellness is about taking charge of those things that they can control.

Wellness includes having to maintain emotional, physical, and psychological health. Some people are describing wellness as balance. Even though balance may seem to be a faraway ideal for men and women in these occupations that are full of stress, some tips for public servants for unloading stress, building resiliency, and maintaining health against the effects of stress include:

  1. Getting enough sleep – Studies have conducted on soldiers going into battles found those with sleeping patterns ensured  to get enough sleep at night better able in withstanding the battle trauma. This study is applicable to police officers, paramedics, and fire fighters as well.
  2. Maintaining physical fitness – Physical activity is not just great for the body, but it was proven to strengthen and enhance the function of the brain, and thus, improving the capacity of people to withstand stress and traumatic events.
  3. Counselling – These public servants should consider seeking confidential and high quality counselling if necessary.
  4. Looking for other co-workers – Open communication and peer support with others who are dealing with the same things that can strengthen vigor an relieve the effects of smaller stress sources.
Life can be full of stress no matter what profession you have, so it is important to maintain your health and eliminate your work-related stress. 
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