Ways to Reduce Critical Incident Stress Trauma

Ways to Reduce Critical Incident Stress Trauma
Ways to Reduce Critical Incident Stress Trauma:
Try practicing stress reduction and management techniques such as deep breathing and yoga.
Get regular physical exercise.
Establish healthy eating habits.
Try to keep regular sleep patterns.
Establish relationships with people who understand your work and the stress that you face. DO NOT separate yourself from your family and friends; EDUCATE them. Tell them about your work and the stress you face and how they can help when you go through a stressful situation (not just a "critical incident").
Things To Avoid:
Caffeine, alcohol, drugs, sugar, and seclusion.
Avoid the feelings you have during or after a critical incident.
As Fellow Officers:
As fellow officers, we understand the stress that officers face everyday as a result of the job we do. We also understand that the above techniques may seem or sound "touchy feelly," but if the techniques are used, they have been proved to reduce critical incident stress trauma and to aid in one's ability to cope with stress both during and after the event.