Emotional Survival

Today I was in training all day. It was 'Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement' by Dr. Kevin Gilmartin who is a retired police officer out of Arizona. My Major had informed me about Dr. Gilmartin and how he was such a great speaker. While at the academy we had a local instructor come in and give us tips in surviving emotionally as an LEO and referenced his material. So, when I was told I was going to this training given by Dr. Gilmartin himself, I was looking forward to it because I really didn't know what to expect. I knew some of the material but not much, being the class at the academy was brief and given the first day.

I have nothing but good reviews for Dr. Gilmartin. He was very motivating, hilarious, and because he's a retired police officer and really knows what cops go through, he was able to relate it to us in a way we all can understand. He also got me really thinking about where my life is going and where it will be in a few years. What he says about cops being in a hypervigilance state while at work, I just never even realized how true that is. I go to work and I feel like I'm on an adrenaline high the entire time I'm there. It doesn't matter how tired I am when I go to work, I just become so alert and 'high' on adrenaline that all of that fades. But, when I come home, I'm absolutely exhausted and don't want to do shit. He explains that as a parasympathetic state. With every action, there's an opposite and equal reaction. Which, in the case of hypervigilance, is exhaustion and a depressant state. I never really thought or realized how true all of that is.

So, while he's lecturing I'm like, ok, how do I fix this? His biggest suggestion was a 20-30 minute cardio exercise plan. He explained that normally it takes 24 hours to get out of the parasympathetic state and back into a regular state. Well, what happens to us in 24 hours? We go back to work and go back to this hypervigilance state. He said that by exercising 20-30 minutes of cardio, that brings you back to a regular state much faster. Not to mention, it's healthy. Also, eat healthy. He showed us some scary statistics of food today compared to what it used to be. :P

Right now I do pretty good with that. I walk my dog twice a day, for at least 30 minutes. I try as hard as I can to go to the gym. I usually run a mile and half or so, then do upper or lower body, depending on the day. Also, I try to bring my food to work. It's cheaper and healthier that way. I eat a Zone bar in the mornings, if I get hungry before lunch I'll snack on some almonds or raisens, then for lunch I'll have yogurt, a sandwich or whatever. Dinner, I try to cook something. But, I fall into that tired stage a lot and sometimes I'll make something quick and not so healthy. So I actually eat better while at work lol. Obviously there's things I can work on but this class definitely opened my eyes to the reality of my emotional survival in this career and not just my professional survival.

Anyway, it was a good class and I'm glad I was able to attend. I suggest anyone, whether they're in law enforcement or have a close friend or family member in law enforcement, to attend. I hear he also gives seminars for the family of law enforcement officers. So check it out.

His website is www.emotionalsurvival.com

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