It starts to wire together so that it becomes automatic for you.” “If you do something the same way, a few different times over, it starts to develop a habit. “Changing habits can be challenging,” as habit formation largely takes place on a neurological level, explains Mike Taigman of FirstWatch.
The Science of HabitsĪccording to research from the European Journal of Social Psychology, it can take anywhere from 18 to 254 days to program a new habit into your brain. Make note of the words and behaviors noted in order to determine if you’re really as resilient and mentally healthy as you want to be. Reflect on how you respond in stressful circumstances and ask those closest to you what they notice about how you deal with stress, your general attitude in life and/or your response in frustrating or tense situations. Improving your mental health can start with cultivating awareness. When you repeat your physical each year, this information can help you and your doctor spot potentially negative changes. Physicals also provide valuable information about your blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, vitamin and mineral levels, and more. Seeing your doctor annually is a great preventive measure, helping you to catch problems early on. For physical health, this might include getting an annual physical. Once you have a better assessment the habits impacting your physical and mental wellbeing, it’s good to establish baselines. Recognize both the good and the bad as you start taking steps to build healthier habits into the lifestyle baked into your career in public safety (e.g., shift work, paramilitary structure, critical incidents). Note: Not all habits are negative! You also likely have many good habits that positively impact your health and life that you want to hang on to and nurture. The are our default, particularly when we are experiencing stress, so the list of habit worthy of interrogation can be quite long. Evaluate your sleep: Be honest about your regular sleep patterns and hygiene.How you manage stress: Do you find it difficult to wind down after a tough shift?.
Consider your fitness regimen: How often do you work out?.Take stock of your diet: Do you often grab that convenient fast-food meal on the way home from a shift? (Photo/Getty Images)įirst, you must determine what habits in your life you want to change. First responders need good habits as much, or more, than the general public.
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