Afternoon Readers!

It’s The Carpetbagger again and today we’re going to talk about how “Our” (EMS, Fire, Public Safety) personnel get back what they put into their job.

I was speaking to a close friend of mine last night over a few drinks at a local pub about why I chose to do what I do. Why would I subject my self to the stress, emotional trauma, and physical dangers of my profession? Besides to pay the rent that is.

Well, I thought about that question quite a bit before I proposed an answer and honestly, I had no honest clear cut answer. There are just so many reasons to get up and out of bed in the morning for us. Really, there are….Half off my food at chick-fil-a! No cover charge at the bar! Cool stories!

That isn’t what i’m getting at though, what has been found through the wonders of scientific research and theory is that we are actually gaining health benefits from these professions. That’s right, you have the ability to stay healthier by working to help others!

There is one catch though, you have to be positive and compassionate to make it happen.

Researchers at the University of North Carolina have put together a research paper that theorizes that when you experience positive emotions and positive interactions with other people that it actually causes physiologic changes to your Vagal tone.

Now for those who read my blog who may not be anatomically inclined let me help you out by answering your next question “What is Vagal Tone?!”

Well that my laypeople, would be the term used to describe the activity of your Vagus nerve.

“What is my Vagus nerve?!”

Here, Let me google that for you.

Alright, now that we are all caught up i’d like to get back to the study which says that by being positive and having positive interactions with others you can actually improve your Vagal tone.

“Ok, Carpetbagger. Big deal so my nerve is more active. What of it?”

Well hold on, here is the good part folks!

An increase in Vagal tone has been found to reduce inflammation and lower your risk for a Myocardial Infarction. It also has been linked to the ability to be better at regulating your own emotions. It also has been suggested that it makes you more efficient at socializing by helping to coordinate eye gaze, facial expressivity, and tuning of your ear to the frequency of the human voice.

That’s right folks, by being kind and compassionate to others you can literally make your self healthier as well!

Here is where it gets even better, notice that part where I said that increasing your Vagal tone can help you regulate your own emotions? That’s right, you can make your self happier by just helping others and showing compassion! By having a positive social experience with your patient or “Calling Party” (If you’re not part of the EMS world) you are going to increase your Vagal tone, which will allow you to better regulate your emotions and allow you to focus on being happy, which then in turn should also make it easier for you to be kind and compassionate!

That’s right folks, it’s a big cycle of happiness!

So next time you’re out there and you have the chance to go above and beyond for someone. Hold their hand, get that blanket out, shake their loved one’s hands! Heck, shake theirs as long as there isn’t anything wet and sticky on it….and know that you’re not only doing it for them but you’re doing it for yourself!

On that note, i’m going to go throw a fresh coat of Kiwi on the boots and iron my shirt for tonight.

Until next time folks!