Talk it out. You are not in this alone. Your family,
friends and associates are feeling some of the same anxieties you're
experiencing because they are close and care about you. Tell them
what you're feeling, and listen to what they say. Find a veteran
buddy and talk it out with them. (This is especially good because
of the identity factor).
Physical
Activity. Release the tension of stress by developing a
regular routine of exercise. It doesn't take much either ...
walking around the block each evening, playing tennis, working in the
garden or going through some stretching exercises in your living room
goes a long way in helping.
Know Your
Limits - And Make Time For Relaxation. Sometimes exercise or talking
about your feelings only work for a little while before something
reminds you of the war, or traumatic experience, creating anxiety all
over again. It's important to remember that events in the past are
beyond your control. Try to reduce the amount of time you
spend worrying about things you can't change. A good way to do
this is to cut down or eliminate the activities that cause stress for
you. Spend that time in other ways, such as finding something
enjoyable and relaxing.
Take
Control. Step out and help someone else. When you can focus on
helping someone else your problems diminish and dissipate. Help
organize a support group to help others come together to identify and
relate to one another in a positive way.
Avoid
Self-Medication. Drugs and alcohol may seem to remove stress
temporarily, but in the long run they generally create problems of
behavior that compounds the stress you were feeling initially.
Even caffeine and nicotine can have a negative effect on your ability to
control the sources of anxiety in your life.
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Quick Reference
Things to remember:
Stress is a normal reaction to the traumatic events in
your past.
Negative stress can damage physical and mental health if
not recognized and managed.
Things to do:
-
Talk it out
-
Try physical exercise
-
Know your limits
-
Take control
-
Avoid self-medication
-
Find a support group
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