The following are some ways that service members can maintain relational resilience while supporting colleagues and managing personal stress:
1. Practice self-care techniques: Self-care practices such as exercise, meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, and journaling can help service members manage stress and promote positive emotions. It is important to prioritize these activities even when time is limited.
2. Seek support from trusted friends and family members: Connecting with loved ones who understand and support the demands of military life can provide much-needed social and emotional support. It is crucial to have people to turn to for comfort and advice during challenging times.
3. Create a healthy work-life balance: Maintaining boundaries between work and personal life can help prevent burnout and ensure adequate rest and relaxation. Service members should prioritize their own needs and take breaks when necessary to avoid feeling overwhelmed or burnt out.
4. Stay connected to the unit: Even though it may be difficult, staying connected to the unit through regular communication, team building events, and morale boosters can create a sense of community and belonging that promotes resiliency.
5. Use available resources: Military branches offer various mental health resources such as chaplains, counselors, and peer-to-peer programs that service members can access if needed. Reaching out for professional help when struggling with personal issues or coping with traumatic experiences can improve well-being and relationships.
6. Be mindful of personal triggers: Identifying personal stressors and triggers allows service members to proactively manage them before they become too overwhelming. Awareness of one's unique vulnerabilities can assist in developing effective coping strategies.
7. Prioritize positive thinking: Positive thoughts and attitudes can promote resilience by helping individuals cope with adversity and find hope in challenging situations. Practicing gratitude, optimism, and self-compassion can enhance mood and improve overall well-being.
By implementing these strategies, service members can maintain relational resilience while supporting colleagues and managing personal stress. It is essential to prioritize self-care, seek support, establish boundaries, utilize available resources, identify triggers, and practice positive thinking to cultivate resiliency and foster strong relationships within the military community.
How do service members maintain relational resilience while supporting colleagues and managing personal stress?
The maintenance of relational resilience is an important aspect for service members who support their colleagues and manage personal stress. Relational resilience involves being able to bounce back from adversity by strengthening social connections with others (Catalano & Pepper, 2017). To maintain this trait, service members should focus on building meaningful relationships within their units, fostering trust and open communication, engaging in regular social activities outside of work, and seeking professional help if needed.