Exercise: A Powerful Tool for Resiliency – But it Can Also Be a Crutch

Police officers should be in shape, period. 

Not only does having a certain level of fitness allow an officer to perform their job effectively and safely, but there is a correlation between mental resilience and exercise.

In June of 2021, the John W. Brick foundation released their Move Your Mental Health Report.  In this report, the researchers reviewed over 1,000 studies conducted in the last 30 years looking at how physical activity affects mental health and resilience.

The findings were overwhelmingly positive.  Almost 90 percent of the studies established a statistically significant association between exercise and mental health.  The studies also identified what negative mental health aspects were positively impacted.  Here are a few areas of mental health that benefited from physical activity:

• Depression

• Mood

• General mental health

• Quality of life

• Stress

• Well-being

• 
  

What does this mean for law enforcement officers?

A profession in law enforcement will have a negative impact on mental health.  Cumulative trauma, sleep disruptions from shift work, and organizational stress are just a few of the ways that being a police officer will take a mental toll.  The only way to prepare for these stressors in the long term is by building resilience. 

In my Police Resiliency and Critical Incident Mindset course, I teach several ways that officers can build resilience.  Exercise, when applied in a healthy manner, will increase officer resilience.

It did for me, with some exceptions.

Anyone that has read any of my blogs or posts knows that I have seen my fair share of trauma.  I waited a long time to start my mental health journey by meeting with a trained professional to unpack my trauma.  I did, however, maintain a high level of fitness to build a more resilient body and mind.

It worked well…. until it didn’t.

I used exercise and weightlifting as an escape from a poor relationship at home and stress at work.  I would start my day at 4 am in the gym, lifting heavy and trying to add size and strength.  I usually ended my day doing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, or any other type of cardio.

I felt strong, and that I could take on anything the world threw at me.  Then my dad entered hospice because of his long battle with cancer.

Instead of seeking out a professional to help navigate my grief and other issues, I started stacking on more exercise.  During those few weeks, I was spending most of my time pushing myself physically, because it was easier than dealing with what was really bothering me.  It became an easy way to distract myself.

I pushed myself so hard that I collected a list of injuries that still bother me today. 

Instead of processing trauma, dealing with a poor home-life, or starting therapy, I continued to distract myself.  It wasn’t until I started therapy that I truly gained the positive impacts from exercise on my mental health.

Using exercise to increase mental health and resilience is a powerful tool for law enforcement to navigate the stressors of the profession and home.  When physical activity is applied alongside other proven resources, like therapy, the benefits on the mind and body are substantial.

The research shows that fitness should be an important part of a holistic wellness plan for any law enforcement officer. Finding 30-45 minutes four times a week to exercise should be a priority, in conjunction with other proven resources, such as therapy. Take time for yourself to increase all aspects of your health.