There are ways to cope with stress, however there is no way to go through life avoiding stress altogether!
You have chosen a profession that you can anticipate stressful situations!
Take care of your body first!
Getting adequate and regulated sleep, a diet high in antioxidants and that levels your blood sugars, that means eating on time and throughout the day, an exercise routine entrenched in your life...but make it fun...not that you are doing the same thing every day...
Setting appropriate schedules for your home duties and an organized home....so your uniform is clean....bills are payed on time, you can find your screwdriver, keys, etc......little things like this although minor annoyances can actually build stress levels more than you know!
I believe everyone should have at least one creative hobby, art or craft to absorb themselves in...video games don't count...something to do that you first enjoy, from music to decoupage to photography and which you feel a sense of accomplishment through and have a tangible reward after accomplishing it....even if it is beaded bracelet, building models...but a place that lets you escape your normal reality and that allows your mind to work differently than it normally does!
Just like exercise you will relieve stress, but it won't leave you physically exhausted but will invigorate your mind!
Learn to be in touch with your body and understand what stress really is and what your body goes through when it goes into it! There are things you can do to help alleviate when stress starts up...like relaxing your back and facial muscles...regulating breathing....meditation...biofeedback!
Wear appropriate sized and comfortable clothing!
Too tight shoes, or clothing may on the surface not feel all that bad, but actually will build stress on your body!
Controlling your thought patterns!
The roll you take in life as a policeman will be to anticipate, look for trouble and deal with it....it is your training...switching off that attenae will be a challenge for you! The key is to try to be as positive mentally as you can be! Learn to be a glass is half full person! If you don't have a spiritual life I suggest you get one! Because the job you are walking into is all about control...but the problem with this is that nearly everything on this earth is out of our control....being able to hand that control over to a higher power is a great stress reliever!
A social life that allows you to leave your work at work helps as well....not saying you shouldn't socialize with those at your work, but that you should strive to have friends that are outside it as well.....so you can have a break from it and something else to talk about.....this is where taking a class for one of those hobbies I mentioned can become invaluable!
Having a strong homebase helps...family is important and you need to set those priorities as they should be.
Here is how my priority list sits for me,
My Higher Power
Me
My husband
Family and what that entails
career
You need to set your priorities right off....if any of those go out of balance so will all those other relationships in it! So just setting your priorities, allowing yourself some flexibility but trying to stick with them will help you handle those stressful decisions you may have to make!
As well prioritize what you want from yourself....
Here is some of mine
Whatever happens I intend to be
brave, truthful, compassionate, loving and honorable
If I stick to those ideals for myself I ease some stress...because when a stressful situation comes along I can turn to those and think....am I being brave, truthful, etc!
I also believe stress is also alleviated by memorizing positive quotes and concepts for oneself!
Now I could have told you to eat a certain food, or to take a bath, etc to alleviate stress....but those things you can read in any grocerty tabloid! I wanted to give you some solid steps to help you on your way into I hope a rewarding career!
So please do sit down a make yourself a home schedule...keep a day planner...set up some organizing things for your home....plan a little and keep your expectations of other reasonable. If you want something out of someone remember they can't read your mind and neither can they read yours...communication!
I hope this helps!
