For many people, holidays like Family Day, celebrated on the third Monday in February, are a welcome break—a chance to relax, spend quality time with loved ones, and recharge. However, for some families, these moments of connection are not always possible due to the demanding and often unpredictable nature of certain jobs.
Queen’s University expert Heidi Cramm, from the School of Rehabilitation Therapy, has been researching the effects of stressful jobs, particularly those in the military, emergency services, and public safety, on families since 2012. Her work sheds light on how the pressure of these careers can not only affect the workers themselves but also the well-being of their loved ones, especially during holidays when families typically gather.
The Impact of Stressful Jobs on Families
For those in high-risk professions, like paramedics, firefighters, and police officers, the need to be on-call often means missing out on holidays and family celebrations. These workers are crucial to the safety and security of the community, but the toll it takes on their families can be significant. Long hours, emotional strain, and the unpredictability of the work can create stress that spills over into home life, affecting relationships and overall family dynamics.
During holidays, when many expect a chance to come together, families in these situations can find themselves apart due to shift work, emergency calls, or even the mental toll that these professions take on their loved ones.
The Challenge of Reconnecting
Cramm emphasizes that holidays like Family Day, created in Ontario in 2008 to help families reconnect, highlight the gap between those who have the luxury of time off and those whose duties keep them away from home. The holiday was designed to foster bonding and shared experiences, but for those with family members in high-stress jobs, the reality is often different.
Navigating the Stress and Finding Balance
Cramm’s research suggests that families in these situations often need to adopt different coping mechanisms. Clear communication, understanding, and setting realistic expectations are key. It’s important for families to acknowledge that while their loved ones are serving the community, they also need support to manage the emotional strain that comes with such intense work. Flexibility in celebrating holidays, whether that means celebrating on a different day or finding small moments of connection, can also help families manage the absence of a loved one during these important times.
As Cramm continues her work, her findings encourage a broader conversation about how society can better support those in high-risk jobs, not just in terms of safety, but also in fostering the well-being of their families.
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