NCJ Number
59829
Journal
Police Stress Volume: 1 Issue: 2 Dated: (SPRING 1979) Pages: 29-36
Date Published
1979
Length
8 pages
Annotation
PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS ARE DISCUSSED FROM THE TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION (TM) TECHNIQUE AS A WAY OF MINIMIZING OCCUPATIONAL STRESS EXPERIENCED BY POLICE OFFICERS.
Abstract
TM IS A SIMPLE, NATURAL, AND EFFORTLESS TECHNIQUE WHICH ALLOWS THE BODY TO ENJOY LEVELS OF REST DEEPER THAN THAT GAINED DURING SLEEP AND ALLOWS THE MIND TO EXPERIENCE MORE EXPANSION OF THOUGHT. OVER 300 SCIENTIFIC STUDIES AND MANY INDIVIDUAL CASE STUDIES IN THE 1970'S HAVE MEASURED THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TM IN SUCCESSFULLY REDUCING STRESS. SINCE POLICE OFFICERS CONTINUALLY DEAL WITH STRESSFUL AND POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE SITUATIONS, THE TM TECHNIQUE IS ONE METHOD TO HELP POLICE REMAIN CALM IN STRESSFUL SURROUNDINGS. IN ORDER TO FOCUS SHARPLY ON ANY GIVEN EVENT WHILE MAINTAINING A BROAD COMPREHENSION OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT, POLICE OFFICERS MUST BE FLEXIBLE ENOUGH TO RECOGNIZE THE UNIQUENESS OF EVERY ENCOUNTER AND YET STABLE ENOUGH TO TAKE POSITIVE ACTIONS TO UPHOLD THE LAW. BECAUSE VARIOUS STRESS-RELATED SYMPTOMS ARE EXHIBITED IN A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF POLICE OFFICERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ARE PROVIDING STRESS MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS AND EDUCATION FOR THEIR PERSONNEL THAT INCLUDE THE TM TECHNIQUE. MEDITATION IS BENEFICIAL IN TERMS OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE TREATMENT, THE POTENTIAL FOR CREATIVITY AND INTELLIGENCE, INCREASED EFFICIENCY OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM, HAPPINESS, IMPROVED SELF-CONFIDENCE, LESS HOSTILITY AND AGGRESSION, MORE JOB SATISFACTION, IMPROVED RELATIONS WITH COWORKERS, REDUCED USE OF ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO, AND INCREASED SELF-ACTUALIZATION. BENEFITS ARE ALSO ASSOCIATED WITH THE REDUCTION OF COLLECTIVE STRESS IN THE COMMUNITY, SUCH AS IMPROVED SOCIAL BEHAVIOR AMONG INMATES. THE IMPORTANT LINK BETWEEN MIND AND BODY IS CONSIDERED, AND FUTURE TRENDS IN RESEARCH ON STRESS REDUCTION AND SELF-DEVELOPMENT ARE EXAMINED. ILLUSTRATIONS, DATA, AND FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED.