What are your best practices on handling the stresses of everyday life?

Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 11:22:22 -0400

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2024 11:25 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 11:25:07 -0400

Keep the stressor in perspective...

Response by CSM William Everroad made Apr 17 at 2024 12:37 PM

CSM William Everroad — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 12:37:44 -0400

Private RallyPoint Member, I used to do what improved my stress levels in the short term, usually poor habits: drinking, partying, binge watching movies or TV, toxic relationships, etc. I would initially feel better, but it would wear off as the cause of the stressors was not addressed.

Then I switched habits to stuff more constructive along with reframing techniques. I started working out, participating in team sports, self-development (reading more, education), mentoring, and focusing on improving my most important relationships and my career development.

Much of this can be learned and the Army has invested a lot of resources in equipping Soldiers with the tools to manage stress in everyday life, not just in combat. Resilience techniques are very researched and can help manage and mitigate stressors.

The tools you can use to handle stress vary based on what the stressor is. Sometimes simple reframing can help for workplace irritants others it takes counseling and peer assistance for traumatic events that have lingering stress attributes.

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made Apr 17 at 2024 1:42 PM

SP5 Dennis Loberger — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 13:42:59 -0400

I have 2 things I remember that I developed a long time ago when I was in high school. One, I remind myself that I should worry only about those things that are going to appear on my tombstone. Two, concern mobilizes, worry paralyzes.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 17 at 2024 4:14 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 16:14:38 -0400

You want my long answer?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 18 at 2024 1:53 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 01:53:23 -0400

I developed the “Pistol Range Analogy” to help people with anxiety. Mentally visit a pistol range. In theory the closest targets are the most important or dangerous and easiest to hit. Therefore, hit the closest targets first. Assume the effective range of the pistol is 50 meters. Each target is a stressor. The targets range from 25, 50, 100 meters. The 25-meter target represents stressors that must be addressed relatively quickly. The 50-meter target represents stressors that must be addressed perhaps a week to two weeks in the future. The 100-meter target represents stressors several months away. Put the 100-meter targets on the back burner. You can’t hit them now anyway.

All the targets or stressors will pop up at the same time. Shoot the closest target first. Then start moving further out. Hit the 25-meter targets then hit the 50-meter targets. You should give the 100-meter targets a very low priority due to the impossible distance. This approach will prioritize stressors. Deal with one stressor at a time if you can. It is a linear approach as opposed to taking on all the targets at the same time. This will make the task of dealing with anxiety much easier and manageable.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2024 7:50 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 07:50:11 -0400

It may sound flippant, but I use the phrase I don't care quite often.

Response by MSgt Dale Johnson made Apr 18 at 2024 8:54 AM

MSgt Dale Johnson — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 08:54:57 -0400

Humor and Sarcasm works for me but eventually you have to deal with the stressor. I've learned not to kick or strangle people though, the Law looks harshly on that.

Response by GySgt Jack Wallace made Apr 18 at 2024 2:43 PM

GySgt Jack Wallace — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 14:43:37 -0400

PT.....and for me it was talking to my wife. She and PT keep me centered( most) of the time.. And later in both of my career jobs , I sure did pray and asked for guidance and for forgiveness

Response by SGT Lorenzo Nieto made Apr 19 at 2024 6:32 AM

SGT Lorenzo Nieto — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 06:32:40 -0400

I turn to my headphones and Xbox works well

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Apr 19 at 2024 11:59 AM

SSG Carlos Madden — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 11:59:08 -0400

For acute stress I'm feeling I need to get outside and do anything. Pick weeds, dig up rocks, mow the grass, trim bushes, etc. For more long term stress... I honestly don't know. I just kind of strap in and gut through it. Its not the best solution but I'm open to new ideas!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 19 at 2024 4:25 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 16:25:53 -0400

This excerpt is from the PTSD book I am editing now:

I developed the “Pistol Range Analogy” to help people with anxiety. Mentally visit a pistol range. In theory the closest targets are the most important or dangerous and easiest to hit. Therefore, hit the closest targets first. Assume the effective range of the pistol is 50 meters. Each target is a stressor. The targets range from 25, 50, 100 meters. The 25-meter target represents stressors that must be addressed relatively quickly. The 50-meter target represents stressors that must be addressed perhaps a week to two weeks in the future. The 100-meter target represents stressors several months away. Put the 100-meter targets on the back burner. You can’t hit them now anyway.

All the targets or stressors will pop up at the same time. Shoot the closest target first. Then start moving further out. Hit the 25-meter targets then hit the 50-meter targets. You should give the 100-meter targets a very low priority due to the impossible distance. This approach will prioritize stressors. Deal with one stressor at a time if you can. It is a linear approach as opposed to taking on all the stressors at one time. This will make the task of dealing with anxiety much easier and manageable.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 19 at 2024 9:36 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 21:36:43 -0400

Might as well give me no thumbs up for my narrative because they are relatively meaningless to me. I am going to stop posting some stuff.

Response by Chris Tressler made Apr 21 at 2024 1:34 AM

Chris Tressler — Sun, 21 Apr 2024 01:34:11 -0400

As a free man I don't want to think what I have done in the past. But I always think about my future life. What should I do next to keep my family happy. My past experience just will give me negative thoughts. So I don't try to think about the past life. Always should think freely and positive as well about the future.

Response by 1SG Russell S. made Apr 21 at 2024 7:27 PM

1SG Russell S. — Sun, 21 Apr 2024 19:27:42 -0400

Retire

Response by SP5 John Hien made Apr 24 at 2024 7:09 PM

SP5 John Hien — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 19:09:16 -0400

I’m stressed out every day. It’s probably one of the reasons I don’t sleep. I handle it by simply accepting it because there’s nothing I can do about it. I’ve attended counseling sessions that turned out to be worthless. One session was with several Vietnam veterans. All they did was complain about the VA. At the last session I attended I told them if they didn’t like the VA, they were free to wherever they wanted to. Ins another counseling group, the social worker heading up the group told us that if we wanted to overcome depression, watch John Wayne movies. I think this guy was full of sh*t.

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Apr 27 at 2024 8:11 PM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Sat, 27 Apr 2024 20:11:43 -0400

Talk about it, to o your friends, don't hold it in...