In military culture, there is often pressure to suppress strong emotional responses, such as fear or anxiety, because they are seen as weaknesses that could compromise mission readiness.
This can lead to difficulties regulating emotions after discharge, which may affect personal relationships and mental health. This article will discuss how veterans can rebuild trust in their emotions through mindfulness techniques, cognitive-behavioral therapy, support groups, and other strategies.
Mindfulness involves paying attention to thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations without judgment or reaction. It can help veterans identify and validate emotions without feeling shame or guilt.
One study found that mindfulness helped veterans recognize triggers for negative emotions, understand how these feelings relate to past experiences, and express them constructively. Mindfulness exercises include breathing techniques, body scanning meditation, and journaling.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps veterans challenge irrational beliefs about their emotions, replace them with more realistic ones, and practice new ways of responding.
Vets can explore how their upbringing shaped attitudes towards emotion expression and experiment with different behaviors to cope with stressors. CBT can also address PTSD symptoms linked to traumatic events during service.
Support groups offer a safe space for veterans to share experiences, seek advice from peers, and learn coping skills. They create a sense of community where it's okay to be vulnerable and express difficult feelings. Groups like the Wounded Warrior Project and Operation Purple Camp provide opportunities for socialization and camaraderie while promoting well-being and resilience.
Veterans can cultivate trust in their emotions by practicing self-compassion, setting boundaries, engaging in healthy hobbies, and seeking professional support when needed. Self-compassion involves treating oneself with kindness, understanding, and acceptance. Boundaries involve recognizing personal needs and limits and communicating them assertively. Healthy hobbies such as exercise, art, or music may reduce anxiety, improve mood, and boost confidence. Professional help includes psychotherapy, medication, and community resources tailored to unique circumstances.
The process of rebuilding trust in emotions is challenging but necessary for overall well-being. By adopting mindfulness practices, cognitive-behavioral techniques, and supportive communities, veterans can regain control over their emotional lives and develop more fulfilling relationships.
How do service members rebuild trust in their own emotions when those emotions once felt dangerous to express?
Although it is difficult for service members to rebuild trust in their emotions when they were previously punished or otherwise discouraged from expressing them, there are several strategies that can be effective in this process. Firstly, service members should identify what emotions feel safe to express and practice expressing them in various contexts with supportive people. This may involve gradually increasing levels of expression over time as confidence builds up.