This episode dives deep into hypervigilance at home — a natural, biological state that keeps officers safe on duty but can unintentionally create distance and tension in a law enforcement marriage. Whether you're a police wife, police husband, or a law enforcement spouse, understanding this dynamic can help you protect your connection

Short Episode Summary

Understand what hypervigilance is and how it impacts police family life

Learn the "up and down" cycle that can make officers seem disengaged after shift work

Avoid enabling unhealthy patterns that can lead to law enforcement burnout

Use simple, practical tools to reconnect even during the "downside"

Hear personal stories from Cyndi's own police marriage and experiences with police mental health

Hosted by Cyndi Doyle, founder of Code4Couples®, licensed professional counselor supervisor, retired police spouse, and author of Hold the Line: The Essential Guide to Protecting Your Law Enforcement Relationship. Cyndi has helped countless law enforcement couples strengthen their relationships despite the unique challenges of the job.

📖 Grab Cyndi's book Hold the Line: https://www.amazon.com/Hold-Line-Protecting-Enforcement-Relationship-ebook/dp/B08TPRTY9G#customerReviews

🎤 Book Cyndi for training or speaking: https://code4couples.com/training/

00:00 – Introduction & real-life scenario 02:00 – What hypervigilance is and why it matters in law enforcement marriage 05:00 – The biological rollercoaster after a police shift 09:00 – The cycle of misunderstanding between police spouses 13:00 – Strategies for recovery & reconnection 20:00 – Tips for avoiding enabling behavior 22:30 – Final thoughts & resources