Posted June 28th, 2016
By Kris Powers
PTSD, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, affects many Americans who have lived through highly stressful situations but are looking to recover and get back to the things they’ve always loved to do. The traumatic event can be anything from being involved in an accident to serving in military combat, but no matter the experience, the effects are often similar in sufferers.
Still, everyone is affected differently, and therefore there is no one treatment that will work for every case. Some PTSD victims find it best to limit their social interactions, some choose to work with other survivors of traumatic events, and others are fine with working outside of the home but need a quiet environment.
And for some PTSD sufferers, the desire to be active or engage in activities they used to enjoy is intensely helpful when recovering. Of course, these activities will vary from person to person and again, there is no one course of action that will help everyone. However, there are several jobs that lend themselves well to staying active and easing back into old pleasures. Here are a few great options.
Dog-walker
If you’re an animal lover, signing up for an account on Rover.com might be a successful option for you. Tons of attentive pet owners need a responsible caregiver to come to their home during the day and let their animal out, or just give the pet some attention during a long afternoon. The site connects owners and walkers so they can meet up and determine whether the job is right for both parties, and it also helps both parties take care of the financial end of things. There might even be someone in your neighborhood looking for a dog-walker (or pet sitter) right now!
Artisan
If you’ve always enjoyed activities like woodworking or building things, you may be able to make your hobby work in your favor by setting up a shop on a site like Etsy.com, where you can sell your handmade items. The platform is easy to use and offers several different payment options for customers, but best of all? You can create your own schedule while doing something you love from the comfort of your own home.
Sports coach or referee
Sports lovers may be able to find work at a local church, YMCA, or school-funded organization as a coach or referee for youth soccer, football, or basketball games. While working with children isn’t always the easiest job (and requires some experience), it can be very fulfilling to coach young ones and watch their progress on the field or court. These types of jobs would also allow you to work outside in the fresh air and stay active during the season.
Cook or food service professional
Restaurant jobs can be fast-paced and demanding and are therefore not always the first choice for someone suffering from PTSD. However, there are several jobs in this field that might work well for someone who doesn’t mind early or late hours or physical activity. Check with local hotels, cafes, and small local businesses with eateries (like a bookstore) to see if they have a need for a cook or prep worker. These types of jobs are often a bit slower-paced and are less stressful than a big, bustling restaurant.
Event planner
Planning parties, weddings, and receptions takes a keen eye, a knack for working with clients, and a lot of organization. But if you enjoy putting lovely events together, event planning might be right for you. Essentially, you would be self-employed and can focus on any event or style you want. Trade shows and bridal shows — often held in the spring and fall — can give you an idea of what potential clients are looking for, and you can set up a site or blog of your own to advertise your talents. Such jobs require a lot of dedication, but if it’s something you enjoy, it can also be a very rewarding field.
Living with PTSD can mean a lot of things for different people, but it doesn’t have to mean living in isolation or without the things you once enjoyed. For those looking to maintain a more active lifestyle, there are many opportunities if you know where to look.
Julia Merrill is a retired board-certified nurse practitioner. Over the course of her 30-year career, she strived to bridge the communication gap between those seeking the best medical care and those working to provide it. She created BefriendYourDoc.org with the goal of sharing tips and insights into finding the right medical care, dealing with insurance companies, and ways for everyone to better maintain their own health and wellness.
