Having a loved one deployed is stressful and can cause your days to be filled with worry, anxiety, and depression. However, there are ways you can counter all of these emotions and inhibit becoming sedentary. The six things to get you through a deployment are listed below. Choose the ones that best suit you.
Family Readiness Group (FRG)
This group allows you to network with others who have loved ones in the military. You will find yourself in a peer support setting. They generally take part in various activities, involving all members. If you like planning and attending dinners or events, this is the perfect group for you. You will also take part in filling and sending care packages, signing Christmas cards, and visiting with one another.
Volunteering
Volunteer at local organizations, especially ones that are military-based. This will help you maintain a social presence and high spirits.
Obtain a Hobby
Now is the best time to learn how to do something you’ve always wanted to do. Spend time on your hobby every day. Work on a do-it-yourself project. Winterize or summer proof your home.
Visit Family or Friends
Being a military spouse requires you to move around a lot. Doing so means that you don’t get time to visit other family members that might not live as close to you as before. Take this time to visit with them for a few days.
Stay Busy
If you decide none of the activities above are right for you, you can still find plenty to do around your house and locally. Go to a game, host a party, do some summer or winter cleaning, write, get a stress-free job, or visit with the sick. There are plenty of activities you can take part in that don’t require joining a group or working with others.
Return to School
Going back to school to start or finish your degree can also give you a way to set goals for yourself. Accomplishing your dream will give you confidence. Even just obtaining a certificate or taking a professional development class will help you stay preoccupied.
Look into the MyCAA program. Many colleges and universities are completely online which allows busy spouses the benefit of doing their training and coursework when it is most convenient for them. Many college administrators and teachers also understand that portable jobs are best for military spouses because military members are constantly moving and deploying and that spouses need a job that is in demand and can be used anywhere.
Look for a school that offers a wide variety of certificates and associate degree programs including homeland security, healthcare, information technology, finance, telecommunications and electronics, and general business. Most colleges should serve all military branches, including the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and veterans and military spouses.
The MyCAA program is something you should definitely take advantage of. 80% of eligible spouses don’t! It allows you to advance your education for free or for a very minimum cost – who couldn’t use the saving?
If you have been thinking about furthering your education, now is the time!
Remember, you need to stay mentally and physically healthy for your family member or friend deployed. Don’t wait until you start feeling depressed or worried to find something to do, and don’t abandon your chosen activity when your loved one returns home. Stay involved. Choose as many activities as desired.