Moving With Care: Trauma-Informed Physical Activity for Public Safety Personnel

Public Safety Personnel benefit from trauma-informed physical activity, which supports mental health by creating safe, adaptable, and empowering movement experiences that respect the impact of trauma.

Trillium Health Partners is a leading hospital system in Ontario, committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care through its three main sites: Credit Valley Hospital, Mississauga Hospital, and Queensway Health Centre.

This site offers immediate, stigma-free mental health resources for trauma-exposed public safety personnel (both uniform and civilian) in Ontario. Access confidential support 24/7 through free online resources or if in immediate crisis, call 911, Homewood Health’s 24/7 crisis line at 1-833-866-9929, or for 24/7 peer support call Boots on the Ground at 1-833-677-2668.

Public Safety Personnel (PSP) often carry more than just the weight of their gear. The physical demands of their jobs are matched by the emotional toll of working in high-stress, high-risk environments. Repeated exposure to traumatic events can lead to Occupational Stress Injuries (OSIs), including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

In fact, Carleton et al. (2018) found that approximately 44.5% of PSP screen positive for symptoms consistent with at least one mental disorder, a rate significantly higher than the general population of 10.1%.

Physical activity is a powerful tool for mental and physical wellness—but for PSP, it must be trauma-informed, especially when trauma has affected how individuals relate to their own bodies or environment.

What is Trauma-Informed Physical Activity?

Trauma informed physical activity is an approach that recognizes the prevalence and impact of trauma on the body and mind (Darroch et al., 2020). It intentionally creates a safe, supportive, and empowering environment that helps individuals reconnect with their bodies in ways that feel secure, rather than triggering or overwhelming.

For PSP, this means more than just a workout – it can become a tool for fostering trust, offering choice, and promoting a sense of control.

Why PSPs need a Trauma-Informed Approach

It’s particularly important for PSP to use a trauma-informed approach, as PSP often:

Operate in high-adrenaline environments that tax both the nervous system and body.

Suppress emotional responses to traumatic incidents to function professionally.

Experience hypervigilance, fatigue, disrupted sleep, and physical injuries.

Face stigma around vulnerability, which can make it harder to seek support.

A trauma-informed approach respects these realities and prioritizes psychological safety and bodily autonomy in movement.

Key Principles of Trauma-Informed Physical Activity for PSP

Safety: Whether you’re training at the gym, at home, or on shift, choose environments and routines that feel physically and emotionally safe. That might look like choosing quieter spaces, taking extra warm-up time, or skipping exercises that feel overwhelming. Feeling secure in your body and surroundings lays the foundation for meaningful movement.

Listening to Your Needs:As a PSP, you may be used to pushing through discomfort—but physical activity doesn’t always need to be high intensity or punishing. Check in with yourself regularly: How am I doing today? What does my body actually need? Replacing self-criticism with patience and self-respect helps you stay connected and avoid burnout.

Modifications and Adaptations: Every shift is different, and so is every workout. Give yourself permission to adapt. If you’re fatigued from a night shift, opt for mobility work or light cardio. If your body feels ready, go for intensity. Trauma-informed movement honors where you’re at—not where you “should” be.

Mindful Awareness and Introspectiveness: Use your workout as a chance to check in—not check out. Whether it’s a simple stretch or a full training session, notice what’s going on physically and emotionally. Are you holding tension? Is your breathing shallow? This kind of awareness can support stress release and emotional regulation, both of which are vital in high-demand professions.

Trauma-Informed Physical Activity: What is it Vs What is it Not.

IS	IS NOT
A safe, choice-based environment	A competitive or high-pressure workout
Encouraging breaks and modifications	“No pain, no gain” mentality
Emphasizing grounding, breath, and presence Building trust through consistency and predictability	Focusing only on performance or aesthetics Unpredictability or abrupt intensity shifts
Supporting autonomy and emotional safety	Ignoring discomfort or emotional cues
Respecting physical limitations and lived experience	Forcing uniformity or rigid movement patterns.

Movement as Medicine, Delivered with Care

Physical activity remains one of the most effective, accessible ways to support mental health and recovery from trauma. ForPSP, integrating trauma-informed principles into movement isn’t just helpful—it’s necessary.

When you move with care, you don’t just a build stronger body—you help reconnect with yourself, reclaim your well-being, and continue serving others without sacrificing your own health.

References:

Carleton, R. N., Afifi, T. O., Turner, S., Taillieu, T., LeBouthillier, D. M., Duranceau, S., ... & Ricciardelli, R. (2018). Mental disorder symptoms among public safety personnel in Canada. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 63(1), 54–64. https://doi.org/10.1177/0706743717723825

Darroch, F. E., Roett, C., Varcoe, C., Oliffe, J. L., & Gonzalez Montaner, G. (2020). Trauma-informed approaches to physical activity: A scoping study. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 41, 101224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101224