Staying in the Green
By Colleen Cahoon
Family Navigator Coordinator
Esquimalt MFRC
Military families deal with many transitions and changes on a daily basis such as relocation and work-related separations. There is no doubt about it, these events can be stressful. It is how you deal with these events that will make a difference in your ability to handle the situation. The Canadian Armed Forces has adopted a model that helps individuals monitor their emotional and mental well-being. This model is called the Mental Health Continuum Model and it suggests behaviours that may be exhibited if a person is coping well with stress or if they need some extra supports. The model uses colours to help categorize these behaviours. Green is coping well with the stressors and yellow, orange and red are when extra supports may be needed to deal with the stressors.
Here are some ways you can “stay in the green” and deal with the day to day stressors of the military lifestyle.
Connecting with Others
Connecting with others can be a good form of stress relief for some people. Maybe it is going for a walk with a friend, volunteering at a local charity, or chatting on the phone with friends back home. If connecting with other people helps you deal with stress, surround yourself with people who will support and enrich your life.
Staying Positive
There is a strong connection between thoughts and behaviors. If a person thinks negative thoughts, their behavior and choices may result in unhealthy patterns. For example, during a deployment instead of focusing on the daily struggles of balancing everything on your own, view the situation as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Self-Care
Practicing self-care looks different for each person. Some people care for themselves by staying active while others may find meditation a good way to stay balanced. Ensuring that one gets enough sleep might be important for others or arranging a getaway with friends might be another way an individual practices self-care. Identify the things that help you practice self-care and schedule them into your life.
Creating Joy and Satisfaction
Setting aside time for activities, hobbies, and projects that an individual enjoys contributes to overall mental wellness. Creating avenues for joy and satisfaction boosts your mood, your ability to bounce back from stress, and helps you to “stay in the green.”
Helping Others
Helping out a neighbor, working in a community garden, doing something nice for a friend, or volunteering at your local MFRC or another community agency may help you feel fulfilled and manage stress.