We’re all bound to experience stress at some point in life. It can be caused by big life transitions like starting a new job, or something as small as running late for an appointment. Military life can have its own unique set of stressors, like being away from your loved ones during a long deployment, or packing up and moving every few years.
A strong support system can help you weather the toughest life changes and prevent small problems from snowballing. It takes courage to ask for help, but it’s often the best thing you can do for your mental health. Help can come from many places — whether it’s family, friends, your local chaplain or even professional counseling.
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How to recognize signs of stress
Reduce
the stress in your life.
Sometimes life is so busy you may not even have time to take a step back and look at your stress level. Here are a few key indicators that you may be experiencing higher-than-usual levels of stress:
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Stomach discomfort
- Tense muscles, aches and pains
- Frequent recurrent illness
- Feelings of being frazzled, frustrated, upset, overwhelmed or out of control
- Inability or difficulty completing simple tasks that used to come easily
- Low energy
- Loss of libido
You can turn to your support network to lighten your load in times of high stress. But how should you identify and build your support network?
How to build a strong support network
Having people you can count on when times get tough is invaluable. Here are a few tips for building a strong support network:
- Be there for others. True support goes both ways, and sometimes the best way to get support is to offer it yourself.
Reach out to people in similar situations. If you're dealing with the stress of new parenthood or transitioning home from a deployment, chances are you can find someone in your community who's going through something similar. A sympathetic ear can work wonders to relieve stress, and you can lean on each other for support.
- Get involved in your local community. Becoming part of a community can give you a built-in network of local support when you need it most. Your community can be your installation, neighborhood, religious community, co-workers or just a community of close friends.
Be open and honest about what you're going through. Your loved ones may not always be able to guess how you're feeling, so do your best to put your emotions into words to help them understand how they can help you.
- Join a support group. Depending on what you're going through, there may be a support group in your community that can give you an outlet or additional resources to manage your stress.
- Seek out counseling. Talking with someone can sometimes help problems seem smaller and more manageable. Military OneSource offers confidential non-medical counseling — for free — in person, over the phone, by video or online.
Stress can sometimes feel unavoidable, but it doesn't have to run your life. With better stress management techniques, you can handle your stress and go back to living the life you want to live.