Emotional Wellness Prevents Angry Block-out

Have you ever been Angry at the world? 

• Angry at your boss or co-worker
• Angry at a suspect or inmate
• Angry that you lost someone to suicide
• Angry at your spouse or family member
• STILL ANGRY you didn’t get promoted

The longer we hold onto anger, the more life will throw us down the wrong path of destruction. This quote says it all…

Here is very old quote but powerful quote that best defines Anger…

Imagine showing up to work thinking…

“I am probably going to lose my job today, because of something STUPID that I am GOING to do, that will surely get caught on camera!”

We continue to see Officers doing stupid, senseless things, that causes them to lose their job, (usually in a fit of Anger). Those moments are called ‘Block-out Syndrome.’

Block-out Syndrome is when all Emotional Intelligence leaves you brain, you can’t think clearly to make good decisions, and you commit some form of misconduct… (more often than not, excessive use of force).  It is the career-ending moment that can’t be taken back. 

Lessons Learned from Anger to Love

In every RITE Class, a crucial lesson that everyone will hear and use, and hopefully take back with them to work on, is the understanding of Emotional Intelligence and how to control it. Simple points to understand:

1. We are not born with Anger
2. We are not born with Love

…All emotions are created and recreated by the situations and people we surround ourselves with.

Emotions like Anger, Frustration, and Impatience, we actually can have control over, ONLY when we become aware of them.

Depending on what is happening in our lives (personally or professionally), we can all fall off our Emotional Intelligence Ladder. 

In a split second of an emotionally enraged situation, something snaps inside of us, and we can NOT think clearly. It is NOT possible to think clearly, and because of that, we are NOT thinking about departmental regulations, policy, or the rules we learned in the academy.

Block-out can be avoided. When Leaders get Emotional Self-Awareness training, they can then help subordinates when they are going down the wrong path of destruction.

Hurt People… hurt people

The ticking time-bomb employee occurs over time of self-neglect. Not working on negative emotions, is the first stage of heading to Block-out Syndrome. Self-awareness of emotions is key to controlling emotions, especially in high stress moments.

Most of us start our career loving the profession. Over time, after experiencing traumatic events on the job, on top of handling life’s pressures, can take a toll.  In the old days, supervisors would say, ”suck it up buttercup”…. But in today’s world, emphasis on emotional well-being is critical to employee’s health and wellness.

Agencies that provide emotional wellness programs, emotional intelligence training, peer support groups, CIT, emotional support programs, and chaplains have been able to reduce misconduct and overall complaints by 65%.  Incorporating employee emotional wellness programs into your professional workplace culture, means you VALUE your employees.

Emotional Wellness is the ability to successfully handle life’s stresses and adapt to change during difficult times. 

Emotional Wellness means:

• Being aware of your emotions
• Having behavioral self-control of emotions
• Being able to relax, to take a breath
• Willing to seek help or support

Emotional Well-being takes continuous work on one’s self. The first step is recognizing that you need to work on yourself. The second step is just doing it.

“Working on yourself is not a sign of weakness, but actually a sign of strength and endurance!”

10 Strengths for Well-Being

1. Self-Awareness: Learning to navigate distress and redirect emotions
2. Self-Acceptance: Accept and give yourself time to process emotions
3. Self-Care means taking time out for YOU
4. Emotional Agility: Able to thrive even during emotional setbacks
5. Coping Skills: Practice, Practice, Practice
6. Kindness – even if someone transgresses against you
7. Integrity especially when no one is watching
8. Living with Purpose: Identify ‘Your Why’
9. Manage stress: Find an outlet, hobby, away from the job
10. PIVOT from toxic people. Your time is yours…Own it!

Working on yourself, will help you have a lasting public service profession. Emotional Well Being means you are willing to invest in yourself. You have only one life to live, so start every NEW DAY… with the Emotional Well-being Mindset.

RITE’s New Day Tool reminds employees that they have the ability to ‘reset’ every new day to be the best that they can be TODAY. Maybe the previous day wasn’t as great, but TODAY is a NEW DAY!

Please share this with someone who may need some help today. This is a NEW DAY for you…so LIVE it!

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