Waiting anxiety?!
Question: I'm a volunteer in our local fire brigade...
My state is apparently one of the most fire prone and volatile spots in the world (for bush/wildfire)...and most summers, we have an enormous fire.
So far this year we haven't - but the weather is staying hotter later into summer.
In the last few days, I've received message after message warning of "code red weather" (hot, dry, windy) and today it is at an absolute extreme and we're being kept on 3 minute standby in case something happens - (only takes one cigarette butt or something...)
I know it's stupid, but while waiting at this level of alert - it's hard not to be anxious about what could happen (especially given the last two years)
Short of just switching off (which I can't really do) how can I deal with the anxiety of waiting for something that may or may not actually happen? It might happen today - or not at all. Or it might be weeks away.
Thanks in advance!
Answers: I'm a volunteer in our local fire brigade...
My state is apparently one of the most fire prone and volatile spots in the world (for bush/wildfire)...and most summers, we have an enormous fire.
So far this year we haven't - but the weather is staying hotter later into summer.
In the last few days, I've received message after message warning of "code red weather" (hot, dry, windy) and today it is at an absolute extreme and we're being kept on 3 minute standby in case something happens - (only takes one cigarette butt or something...)
I know it's stupid, but while waiting at this level of alert - it's hard not to be anxious about what could happen (especially given the last two years)
Short of just switching off (which I can't really do) how can I deal with the anxiety of waiting for something that may or may not actually happen? It might happen today - or not at all. Or it might be weeks away.
Thanks in advance!
Talk with the other fire fighters. You are probably relatively new to this. They will help put things into perspective for you. Yes, one cigarette can start a fire. But this doesn't happen every day in your local area. I am not telling you to stand down, but put things into perspective. If you are at the station then you cannot leave until the whole crew is ready. If you arrive by a civilian vehicle there is usually not much you can do until the truck arrives. I know it can be exciting and stressful in a career that demands so much from few people, but it is usually not the end of the world if you are not there within 3 minutes. Someone who has been in the emergency response field awhile doesn't camp out in front of their radio on high alert for every call that comes in. Experience will help you learn when every second counts. But for now, look to the others. Are they on the edge? Probably not since this is second nature to them. Just make sure you are ready but don't revolve your life around a fire that may never occur. A lot of people miss things in life because they don't want to miss a fire or first responder call. Remember, the fire department has been successful for a long time before you came. I do not mean to devalue you, but be aware that they do not expect you to not live a life.
Anxiety is something which every one has it but others ignore it and some dont,All you need to do is ignore all these feeling and start taking life as it comes. And try to enjoy every moment of your life as this is very precious gift.
from
http://trainyourmind.blogspot.com