Behavioral fitness builds resilience, aids healing

  • Published
  • By Sharon Kozak
  • 56th Medical Operations Squadron
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The demanding military environment often causes stress, whether it's experienced during a difficult deployment or readjusting to daily life at home. Some people may turn to food or alcohol to cope, but these habits can lead down an unhealthy path. Being "behaviorally fit" means individuals control actions to benefit health. Navigate through tough times while building resilience. Manage stress in healthy ways, like exercise or spiritual activities. Reach out for support and maintain an accountability partner.

Coping with the physical and psychological demands of a deployment can be challenging. The stress can play out in many ways, such as trouble sleeping, rapid heartbeat, upset stomach, headaches, bad dreams or feelings of anger and guilt. It is also common to experience these same reactions when reintegrating back to life at home. Behavioral fitness helps build resilience, benefiting a member's military career and personal life. Specifically, coping with stress in healthy ways can help individuals to maintain a good mood, maintain a healthy weight, sleep well, feel less physical pain, lower the chances of getting sick, heal faster and reduce the chances of injury.

Performing duties in a hectic, often dangerous, environment can cause physical and psychological stress. Multiple things can impact stress levels during deployment: trauma witnessed or experienced, family dynamics, length of time spent away, and any additional day-to-day experiences. Feeling stress is characteristic, even after you return from a difficult deployment. However stress plays out, use these suggestions to relieve it:

Identify people to turn to. For emotional support, identify a friend, family member, chaplain or psychological health professional. Identify those who can help with problem solving (e.g. job hunting coach or a financial advisor).

Avoid illegal drugs or alcohol to feel better. Illegal drug use and alcohol cause more problems; their use does not solve problems. Substance misuse can spiral out of control leading to continued difficulty with combat stress, tension, sleep loss, relationship problems and managing responsibilities.

Break down problems into smaller steps. Consider that things may be different than they appear. Address problems by staying in control, breaking big problems down into smaller, more manageable pieces and taking them on one at a time.

Rely on strengths. Look back to successful times when challenges were overcome despite the stress. Use the same steps to tackle new problems now.

Practice self care. Improve sleep habits when possible, get plenty of exercise and try relaxation techniques such as meditation.

Stay connected. Upon returning home, get involved in social activities and keep up relationships with family members and friends. Spend time doing enjoyable activities with others.

It may be difficult to discuss deployment experiences with family members or friends at first. When it's the right time to talk, reach out to a counselor, chaplain, mental health professional or family advocacy support. For more information, call (623) 856-3417.