Mental health can be a taboo topic, but it needs to be brought to the forefront especially if you are up for firefighter promotion. Make sure you are taking proactive steps to keep your mental health strong with these activities so you can focus on promoting.
Move Your Body
Getting your body moving is one of the easiest ways to boost your mental health. Moving your body gets all of those good endorphins going that will help improve your mental health. You will get an even bigger mood boost if you do something outside and give your body some Vitamin D. Researchers have found many links between low Vitamin D and depression so if you are able to move your body outside under the sun you will get an even bigger mental health boost. Try some of these if you are having trouble thinking of ways to move your body:
Yoga
Walk your dog
Workout
Kayak
Paddle Board
Swim
Garden
Dance
Surf
Bike
Hike
Walk
Do Something Creative
Even people who think they are not creative or artsy can be. You don’t have to be an artist or even a creative person to get the mood benefits of doing something creative. Creative things aren’t just limited to arts and crafts either. You can build a new piece of furniture or a model car. The goal is to get your creative brain working, because when it does it can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and increase your positive emotions. Here are some ways to start:
Draw
Paint
Write
Whittle
Take a pottery class
Read
Build
Knit/crochet
Dance
Sing
Cook
Bake
Take A Little Vacation
Sometimes when you are feeling overwhelmed and stressed a change of scenery can really help change that. Even if you are just able to stay in a hotel in your own town for one night to get a change of scenery or go and visit a family member, that mini vacation can really help your mental health. Vacations are not only a way to reduce your anxiety and depression, they are also great at taking your mind off of the everyday stresses of life. If you are in a position where you are able to take a more extravagant vacation, do it, especially since you may be starting a new job soon and a vacation may be less likely to happen after you are promoted.
Have Some Human Interaction
When you are studying for your firefighter promotional exam you may find yourself feeling lonely and isolated. If you are feeling this way, take a break and allow yourself some human interaction. Talking and being with friends, family, or even strangers can help you feel more connected to others and less isolated and lonely. This will do wonders for your mental health, but also can have a positive impact on your physical health as well.
Go on a date
Go out to lunch with a friend/family
Go to a coffee shop
Form a study group
Host a game night
Call someone
Invite friends over for dinner
Go to a concert
Go to a farmer’s market
Take a group exercise class
Go to the gym
Play team sports
The Takeaway
Studying for your firefighter promotional exam is important, but not at the expense of your mental health. Be sure as you go on this fire service promotion journey that you stop and check in with yourself and see how you are doing mentally. Doing some of these recommended activities periodically and proactively to keep your mental health in tip top shape is even better. Don’t let your mental health hit rock bottom before you take care of it.