Meditation and Mindfulness Classes for First Responders

As First Responders, you play an important role in our communities, and society often looks to you during some of the worst life situations. You see and deal with things that most people will never truly comprehend.

Studies demonstrate that First Responders suffer mental health disorders over four times more than the general population, with symptoms accumulating and increasing with years of service and more exposure to traumatic events.

The pressure to handle every situation combined with what you actually experience can take it toll on all aspects of life.

Some of the symptoms you may experience may include (but not limited to):

• Stress and anxiety
• Inability to sleep
• Flashback and nightmares
• Disconnecting from family and friends
• Feeling isolated and alone
• Numb and emotionally unavailable
• Depression
• Random moments of crying

Symptoms accumulate. At first it might be occasionally, and you might even recognize it as stress or a charged emotion. When it becomes a more common experience it become the new baseline for your sense of self. Your new normal. When this happens there is a danger of identifying with this new baseline and think that everything is ok, meanwhile, deep inside the pressure is building.

The boiling frog metaphor: If you put a frog directly into boiling water it will jump out. If you put it into temped water and very slowly raise the temperature,  it will not notice and will eventually be boiled alive.

It is similar with our mental and emotional state. Try to ignore or suppress your emotions and feelings and before your know it, you will be boiling.

The things you've experienced can't be changed... How you react to what you've experienced, this can be changed!