Transitional Issues:

Self-care to manage stress after a combat experience

• Consider limiting your exposure to television coverage. Monitor yourself for signs of anger, rage, depression, or anxiety and take a break from the coverage to allow yourself to recover from these feelings.
• Keep up with your daily schedules and routines.
• Keep up with your physical needs relating to exercise, food, and sleep.
• Feel what you feel. it is normal to feel a range of emotions. Having these feelings is to be expected: how you deal with them is most important.
• Remember that people have their own pace for dealing with traumatic incidents, and it is important to listen to and honor your own pace.
• Count on feeling angry, but temper your actions with wisdom. Try to stay calm and avoid reacting with impulsive anger. Consider the long term consequences of these actions for the overall benefit of the country.
• Talk with someone close to you who might understand what you are going through.
• Studies suggest that if you do not feel like talking, writing in a journal may be helpful for dealing with intense feelings.
• Studies show that seeking support along with other veterans can be very helpful when stress is increasing. This can be done through the VA, Vet Centers, and Vets Service Organizations.
• Seek assistance from your medical doctor or a mental health professional who is skilled in working with survivors of trauma if:
  You are experiencing any symptoms causing significant distress, changes in relationships, or impairing functioning at work You are self medicating with alcohol or drugs;
• You are unable to find relief using the strategies listed above

Department of Veterans Affairs

Miami VA Medical Center
1201 NW 16th Street
Miami FL 33125
Phone (305) 575-7000
Toll Free (888) 276-1785
www.visn8.med.va.gov/miami

Oakland Park VA OPC
5599 N Dixie Hwy
Oakland Park, FL 33334
Phone (954) 771-2101
Toll Free (888) 497-4647
www.va.gov