Military, public safety top stressful jobs list

Managing workplace stress:

? Learn to recognize signs of excessive stress at work such as feeling anxious, irritable or depressed, loss of interest in work, problems sleeping, fatigue and trouble concentrating.

? Take care of yourself by exercising, getting enough sleep and drinking or smoking only moderately.

? Learn to prioritize and organize and try not to over-commit yourself.

? Develop the capacity to meet challenges with humor.

? Break bad habits such as arriving late, striving for perfection or trying to control the uncontrollable.

Source: HelpGuide.org

Top 10 most stressful jobs for 2012 and their average incomes:

1. Enlisted soldier

Stress score: 84.61

Average income: $35,580

2. Firefighter

Stress score: 60.26

Average income: $45,250

3. Airline pilot

Stress score: 59.58

Average income: $103,210

4. Military general

Stress score: 55.17

Average income: $196,300

5. Police officer

Stress score: 53.63

Average income: $53,540

6. Event coordinator

Stress score: 49.85

Average income: $45,260

7. Public relations executive

Stress score: 47.56

Average income: $91,810

8. Senior corporate executive

Stress score: 47.41

Average income: $165,830

9. Photojournalist

Stress score: 47.09

Average income: $40,000

10. Taxi driver

Stress score: 46.25

Average income: $22,440

Source: CareerCast.com

Most people would say they have stressful jobs, especially during this unstable economy. But according to a new study, military and public safety workers have the highest share of anxiety.

Topping CareerCast.com?s list of the 10 most stressful jobs in 2012 is an enlisted soldier.

?A combat soldier?s life is you get up in the morning to get to chow and you go and face the enemy and you can face the enemy for four hours or four days,? said Douglas Saunders of Phelan, a former Army sergeant who served between 1986 to 2011.

The study used a ranking system based on several different factors including travel, growth potential, working with the public, hazards, environmental conditions and being placed in life-threatening situations. But many in these professions have ways to destress from their jobs.

For Saunders, who previously worked as a Daily Press intern, going to the gym and working out served as a stress reliever.

According to CareerCast.com, a combination of having to put their own lives on the line for others and having to make split-second, life-changing decisions makes firefighting the second most stressful job for this year.

?A lot of people have a very strong faith. A lot spend time with their families,? said San Bernardino County Fire Department firefighter and spokesman Eric Sherwin. He added his own personal destressor is hiking with his family in Big Bear. ?When I come back I?m refreshed and ready to go forward.?

Christina Hood of Apple Valley has been an airline pilot for nearly 10 years ? a career that landed at No. 3 on the list.

Pilots are not only expected to guarantee the safety of passengers, but they also need to make sure their flights are on time. A pilot?s irregular working hours and routes can add to their stress, as well, the study said.

Hood recently took some time off from her pilot job to try to pursue a career in real estate.

A military general takes the fourth place position due to the necessity of making life and death decisions and the dangerous nature of their work.

Rounding out the top five are those in law enforcement.

Officers and deputies are usually one of the first-responders at traumatic and tragic scenes, they are sworn to protect the public and often find themselves the targets of criminals, the study said.

?My faith plays a large part in making sure I find a balance,? said Deputy Cameron Pratt with the San Bernardino County Sheriff?s Victorville station. ?My family also helps with that. We usually deal with people when they?re at their weakest, so it helps me to focus on the positive of raising my kids and attending church.?

Some groups ? as is the case with most law enforcement, fire and military ? also have access to support groups and peer counselors who can help them get through the stressors of their careers.

Beatriz E. Valenzuela may be reached at (760) 951-6276 or at BValenzuela@VVDailyPress.com.

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Source: http://www.vvdailypress.com/news/stressful-32231-jobs-public.html

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