top of page

Anxiety


As I went through some old writings, I found something I wrote when I found out we were being deployed. I sent it to my platoon sergeant, and it spread like wildfire. I know some things may be dated, but I believe they hold up pretty well. Who would have thought I would become a health and wellness coach and help people? Please take a read and let me know what you think:


Finding out you are being deployed can be a weird thing. I know I joined the U.S. Army during a time of war, and I took an oath to defend this country from all enemies, foreign and domestic, but when you hear from an officer of the battalion that you are deploying, the world as you know it changes.

I am writing this because I have seen and felt a change in myself since discovering the news of my deployment. Due to Facebook's blessing and curse (more on that in a different rant), I have noticed that I am not the only one.

I went to drill this month, and we had to take care of things for pre-mobilization (or pre-mob, as we call it). I asked my staff sergeant, who has been overseas if feelings like this were normal, and he replied, "Yes." I talked to him about my issues and feelings, and I got to vent, which made me feel better. I was later tasked with seeing who else was feeling this way, which I was curious about.

I went to my fellow soldiers and presented the question, "Since finding out that we are deploying, have you noticed a change in yourself? Are there any weird sleeping patterns, fatigue, or angrier than usual? Anything?" The responses I got were interesting.

I had answers from "I am fine," "I haven't smiled or laughed since I came back from California" (we had to do some training there), "I wake up a lot in the middle of the night," "I am very confrontational" were some of the answers I got from soldiers. Still, the one that really stuck with me was, "I used to be more comfortable with the people I work with than the people I drill with, but now it seems to be the opposite." That made me think for a second, and I started to look around the room; I saw those same soldiers who gave me those answers of not smiling and being tired, now laughing and joking and seeming more relaxed. Hmmmm, indeed, a change has occurred.

Stress is the underlying issue we all seem to be suffering from: stress is associated with knowing that we are going to be in a hostile country thousands of miles away from our loved ones, friends, car, PS3, bed, and all the creature comforts we usually take advantage of. It is not just one specific thing you will miss but a combination of many little things.

Webster's dictionary defines stress as:

 ANXIETY

1

A: Painful or apprehensive uneasiness of mind usually over an impending or anticipated ill, B: fearful concern or interest C: a cause of anxiety 

2

: An abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by physiological signs (such as sweating, tension, and increased pulse), by doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about one's capacity to cope with it.

 

Now, there is much more to this definition than this, and if you want to know more, I will post a few more websites at the end of this blog that can help you define it better.

I am sure some people, as well as my fellow soldiers, may have some anxiety and may not be aware of it or think, "Admitting I have anxiety means I am weak," but that can be the farthest thing from the truth. Admitting you have anxiety doesn't make you a coward but helps you to recognize that you are having difficulty.

There are many healthy ways to help you, such as talking to someone, be it a friend, battle buddy, priest, family member, or even a psychologist. You can also write and keep a personal journal, but the most important thing is getting it out and expressing your feelings. We need our fellow soldiers to be fit physically and mentally.

If talking is not your thing, you can take up a relaxing hobby; no, beer drinking does not count. Gardening is good, running calms the mind and makes you feel better, swimming is low-impact, and maybe getting shot out of a cannon is your thing (wait a minute, that's mine). Find something you like to do that can help you calm down and think less of what you must do.

I guess I am writing this mainly to help myself and fellow soldiers who may need it. I have always wanted to help people, and my first priority is the well-being of the people I will be fighting alongside. Take care of yourselves, guys and gals; a healthy mind equals a healthy body.

 

Resources:

 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page