You might not be able to change what is stressing you out, but you can control how you react and respond to stress. If you notice that you’re showing signs of stress, here are some things you can do to help yourself: Leave the room. Getting up and removing yourself from the stressful situation can […]
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Service members in the north are more likely to experience this seasonal form of depression Faced with the reality of less sunlight, coupled with colder weather, some service members in northern latitudes may experience an autumnal/winter phenomenon known as SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), which is more common that you might think. In fact, as many […]
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SNAP, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is intended to help low-income families buy food and keep their loved ones fed. More than 20,000 military families are included in the numbers of those who need SNAP to make ends meet. SNAP works on a need-based system where the applicant’s income is reviewed. SNAP […]
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Happiness, what a marvelous word. Yet, for some people, that word seems so surreal, so distant. The truth is, I was one of those people. For the longest time, I believed I was living a happy life, especially since I had everything I needed to be happy. I was in good health, had a beautiful […]
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Operation Purple Healing Adventures is known for providing a relaxing getaway for wounded warriors and their families utilizing the healing properties of nature. And this past weekend was no exception. Set in the beautiful backdrop of Bainbridge Island, Washington, the National Military Family Association hosted 17 military families at our most recent weekend family retreat—which fell […]
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Life has a funny way of teaching you hard lessons no matter how prepared you think you are. Having faced deployment before as a military family, we assumed our playbook was thorough and we knew what to expect. In 2009, my husband was going to Iraq in September or October; the kids and I would stay […]
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It’s no secret that military families face a unique set of stressors. Deployments and frequent moves, sometimes across continents and oceans, add layers of complexity to everyday life. At times even the most level-headed and experienced families feel challenged by the strain. (Speaking from experience, here.) In the throes of transition we find comfort in […]
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Ahhh! There is nothing quite like a deployment or PCS to get the stress level going! The memories of a bad move can stay with you forever. A yearlong deployment can put a strain on a military marriage for years to come. These staples of military life can leave you feeling that you have little […]
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If you’re looking to get your life organized this year, why not start with the family dinner table? Military families often have unpredictable schedules with service members working late or odd hours, if they are home at all. Meal planning is one way to keep a consistent routine in place and give you some sense of control in the midst […]
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Beginning a new exercise or activity routine can seem daunting – especially if you were in the service where physical activity was part of your every day routine. Whether time has slipped away and a few years of inactivity have caught up with you or a fitness plan is completely new, you can approach this in such […]
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