As part of the Military Health System’s efforts to promote mental health awareness, service members and staff from several military medical treatment facilities shared what works for them to relieve stress and maintain their mental health.
Heather Guntherberg, who holds a doctorate in pharmacy and is the acting chief of pharmacy services at McDonald Army Health Center in Fort Eustis, Virginia, said meditation and exercise are key for her.
"Cultivating the right perspective is the foundation for my day at home and in clinic," she said. "In order to establish this, I begin and end each day in stillness with meditation. This allows me to make conscious decisions, set my intentions for serving others, and how I make nutritional choices. I also incorporate exercise and yoga daily."
Ashley Lebrecht, a records management specialist at McDonald Army Health Center (AHC), is also a full-time working mom and a military spouse for whom stress can become a huge factor in daily life.
"A few years ago, I decided to set a designated 'one-hour me time' to myself to unwind and dedicate myself to exercise," she said. "Some of the exercises I enjoy are lifting, running, yoga, or riding my stationary bike."
She explained that taking that hour to herself allows her to focus on her goals, improve her mood, and shut out all other distractions for that hour.
"I have found that exercise has been the best way to relax my mind, body, cope with stress, and be able to live a longevity life," she added.
For pediatrics care coordinator Maria Franzuela-Santiago, a registered nurse at McDonald AHC, faith is her go-to stress reliever.
"Life's many troubles could intensify my depression and anxiety," she said. "What works for me is relying on my Lord, Jesus Christ, to give me a prayerful and grateful reaction to his tests in my life, no matter how painful."
For others, like Army Staff Sgt. Jacquie Zabala, an allergy and dermatology noncommissioned officer in charge (NCOIC) at McDonald AHC, maintaining a positive outlook and being optimistic are good stress relievers.
"I find that smiling every day and laughter makes me less stressed and able to handle anything," she said. "Also, spreading laughter and joy helps me release built-up stress – staying positive and enthusiastic is what works for me."
At Blanchfield Army Community Hospital (BACH), in Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Army Sgt. First Class Donald White, NCOIC of preventive medicine, stresses about life after the Army and setting himself up for success in terms of finances, education, job requirements. But he enjoys multiple activities to help him de-stress.