Work Related Stress

In the spring of 2008, I was interviewed by Shari Bramlett with Rejuvenate Magazine about how I cope with stress on the job. The article appeared in the April-May issue. The article discusses the different types of stress: cognitive, emotional, and physical. Dr. Gisele Girault of the Pure Wellness Pain Management and Medical Spa in Rock Hill who was also interviewed suggests maintaining a healthy lifestyle to reduce stress. In the article I shared the experience of my first day on the job as a firefighter/paramedic in El Dorado, Arkansas on February 3, 1993: There was a multiple shooting at a local business! I go on to state that over the years the stress hasn't gotten any better, but I have learned how to manage it. I've learned that experience on the job relieves a lot of my stress. In the interview I also shared some of my tricks for relieving stress during down time on my job. I do crossword puzzles, play games, watch movies, and read a lot. This helps me to separate myself from my job and keeps me relaxed. The article goes on to suggest that massage therapy may help some people reduce their stress level.

Stress and health is discussed in Chapter 11 of the textbook. Stress is the physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral responses to events that are seen as threatening or challenging. Stress at work can result in symptoms such as headaches, high blood pressure, indigestion, anxiety, irritability, anger, depression, overeating, drug use, poor job performance, or changes in family relationships. Some coping strategies that people use to reduce the effects of stress are changing or eliminating the stressor, humor, meditation, religion, exercise, good sleep habits, eating healthy, and managing their time wisely. We all have stress in our lives and it is crucial that we find what best works for us as individuals to help alleviate our stress in order to live a longer and healthier life.