Stress coping and anger management

[hunterb]

I'm not sure how law enforcement folks don't lose their sh** on a daily basis, dealing with a lot of what they have to deal with. I was wondering if you all had certain stress coping techniques or anger management techniques that help you on the job?

I figured with such a high-stress job, especially patrol/street officers, might have some insights that would help us desk jockeys. A friend who works SWAT is a gym rat, he jokes that all his stress makes him huge. But really, he feels the gym is what keeps him balanced. Was wondering if others find exercise to be the best, or are there other good practices...

Thanks much for any input!

(And yes, going home and nailing the missus counts )

[micro911]

It is stressful as much as you make it. Engaging in a hobby can take away the stress. I shoot competitively. It is very intense and need total concentration. When I shoot, I am blocked from anything else in the world.

One thing is, I do not bring home the work. No matter how bad the crime scene was, I forget about it when I come home. Maybe it is a blessing.

[IrishJoe3]

People cope in different ways. For some, its a productive outlet, (like the gym, or hobby). For others, its not. (Like drinking). Job stress is a large part of why LEO divorce and suicide rates are quite high. Some people simply can't cope.

Personally, I work hard to leave work at work, and on my days off enjoy hobbies and relax with the family. And go to the range. :-)

[9mmepiphany]

The key really is leaving work stress at work. Having folks you can talk to frankly helps a lot...I'm not talking about "choir practice"

BTW: using sex to relieve stress is no different that any other for of self medication...in the long run it isn't healthy

[Country_Jim]

My best form of stress release is spending time with my family. Sure, I workout, go shooting and enjoy reading but nothing makes my day like a hug from the kids, playing with the dog or just looking at my wife and wondering how I got so blessed.

Stay safe.

[1CavScout]

I worked out a lot. That was the primary way I dealt with stress when I was working. I did notice after I retired that it took a couple years to truly relax though. I did not notice how hyper-vigilante I was all the time until I got away from the job for good. I would drive around in my POV running plates in my head, scanning my surroundings etc...

I feel much better now that I am just a regular civilian.

[IrishJoe3]

I feel much better now that I am just a regular civilian.

Lucky you

[1CavScout]

Lucky you

I do miss being able to buy non-roster guns in CA though. Buy what you want before you check out.

[BoJackUSMC]

Gym, gym, power lifting, more gymmmm and spending time with my doggies...
Used to drink alot after I came back from Iraq. My first combat deployment to Iraq was very stressful one compare to my second tour. I quit drinking thou...

I work inside the jail so less stressful than patrol cops and patrol deputies. I think officers, deputies, and agents who patrol the street and special units like homicide, child molester, etc....they get my respect.

I rather pick up my sniper rifle again and go back to Iraq than arresting those monsters. It will be too much for me. I had to interview andtranslate little Asian girl who was getting rape by her uncle for years....

Wow... it was tough... I couldn't sleep for many days...

[CBR_rider]

For me:

Leaving work at work, religion, and having positive outlets (friends/family outside of work, hobbies non-work related, etc).

[RedVines]

Jujitsu is a great outlet. And trying not to be a cop when I'm off.

[oddjob]

My old academy instructor fixed clocks for his stress. I shot competition. I know others did martial arts, dog breeders, fixed up cars & motorcycles, bicycle riders, fishing, hunting, gun collecting (not shooters), hiking, and anything else thats considered a hobby.

I found most LEO's were more angry at their own management rather than the bad guys.

[CH483]

Cop'n is my stress relief.

[Spyder]

I lift heavy, shoot, wrench on the old Challenger, load ammo (though with my @#%$ @#%@#ing @#$# Lee 1000 lately, it's more stressful than stress relieving!) hunt every chance I get and fish. Lots of reading...Almost every day for me is an hour long process of waking up, having coffee and breakfast and doing a bit of reading, catch up on the news, glance through Calguns, and then get up and start moving. An hour of down time every day is a huge stress diversion for people who do it. Going 100mph all day isn't healthy. Cooking and eating is great, and saves money over going out. I drink rarely these days, and spend a lot of energy learning random new skills. I also live out in the woods next to a creek, which has its own charm, even though it means no TV and the worst internet left in the civilized world.

[Spyder]

I could see fixing clocks, or anything like that, requiring fine motor skills and concentration, being a great way to do it. Force your brain to focus on something else completely, and be productive at it. You'll find enjoyment in what you're accomplishing, and have a break from thinking about work.

If I had the space, I'd get back in to wood working. One of these days...