First responders can experience distinct swings in mood and functioning between their shifts and their off-duty time.

On shift, the sympathetic nervous system is often activated due to the high-stress environment, leading to increased heart rates, heightened alertness, and a readiness to respond to crises.

After shifts, the parasympathetic nervous system activates, which can lead to a “crash” on a biological level where the nervous system attempts to recover. This biological process can look and feel like a responder being extremely tired and physically and emotionally detached. It is a process that takes time to cycle through, and often by the time it has resolved, it is time to go back on shift and it begins again. Transitioning between these states can make interactions and being fully present with loved ones challenging.

Additionally, brains that have to operate in sustained states of hypervigilance often struggle to be flexible and “shift gears” between environments. It can be difficult for the brain to have varying responses to different stimuli, another aspect that can inhibit relaxation during downtime and cause challenges for first responders and their families.

Many professionals in these fields have developed coping skills to deal with these biological swings in their nervous systems and their elevated hypervigilance. However, this often takes a monumental amount of attention and energy to do so, and can limit the interpersonal and other life tasks they have the capacity to engage in. Some have described this as feeling like their world has shrunk to revolve around their work.

Neurofeedback teaches the brain to self-regulate and calm, aiding in more efficient transitions between the heightened states required on-shift, and the very different responses required for a healthy life off-shift.

It promotes neuroplasticity, making the brain more flexible. This allows the brain to quickly access more appropriate responses when the hypervigilant responses from work (which tend to be detrimental off-shift) are not required.

This neurological enhancement has led to neurofeedback recipients stating that they no longer feel like they are “borrowing from tomorrow”. They feel they have the energy and capacity to meet the demands of their day, and still have something of themselves left to give at the end of it.

Awareness and coping skills can aid first responders in navigating these different states, but neurofeedback works on a foundational level to give them the ability to do so more effortlessly.

This frees up physical and mental resources that allow first responders to be healthier and more dynamic people for themselves and their loved ones.