About the Science
First responders are routinely exposed to high-stakes, high-stress situations that can lead to chronic stress, trauma responses, and long-term impacts on both mental and physical health. Research has linked these occupational stressors to increased rates of burnout, job dissatisfaction, and unhealthy coping strategies.
However, studies show that integrating Mindfulness-Based Resilience Training into first responder support can make a significant difference. Participants in such programs experience reduced burnout and increased psychological resilience, helping them perform more effectively while protecting their long-term well-being (Kaplan et al., 2017).
Mindfulness-Based Practices
This program equips participants with self-regulation techniques using evidence-based mindfulness practices. Within our curriculum, we incorporate mindful meditations that focus on developing a sense of present-moment awareness through a compassionate, nonreactive and non-judgmental lens.
We understand that First Responders encounter high-stress and traumatic situations on a daily basis. Without effective tools to manage these experiences, they may face PTSD, long-term mental and physical health issues from chronic stress, or resort to harmful coping strategies which can create additional challenges. Research shows that mindfulness-based practices can reduce symptoms of disorders such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse and chronic pain, and can also improve overall well-being and quality of life (Hillel et al., 2011). Another study examining military PTSD found that, in comparison to regular treatment groups and present-centered group therapy treatment groups, individuals that practiced mindfulness-meditation had a significantly larger reduction in PTSD symptomatology. (Sun et al., 2021).
Regularly practicing mindfulness meditations has also been shown to enhance functioning in brain areas such as the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, which substantiate emotional resilience and improve cognitive control (Calderone et al., 2024). When responding to high-intensity experiences in the field, these brain areas are crucial in helping First Responders react. Our program’s curriculum and use of mindful meditation are intended to support responders in staying clear-headed, attentive, and responding without the influence of PTSD-driven reactions.
Mindful Movement/Stretching
Mindful movement and stretching are often associated with positive effects on the body, but what of the mental? Why do we incorporate this practice into our program, knowing that the goal of the program is to generate psychological outcomes? Research tells us that individuals who practice mindful movement practices have shown brain-related anatomical changes associated with increases in positive mood perception, reduced anxiety and improved cognition (Desai, Tailor & Bhatt, 2015).
Furthermore, as scientists started to look deeper into PTSD and how it works, many researchers began to explore mindful movement practices as a possible intervention, postulating that these practices would integrate the mind and body to create healing. Resulting studies have shown that these practices can significantly reduce PTSD symptomatology by helping individuals tolerate triggering physical and sensory experiences, increasing their emotional awareness, and improving their ability to tolerate strong feelings (Van der Kolk et al., 2014).