Insights on how to heal after serving in the military

Undoubtedly, military personnel receives many benefits during their service and even more after they retire, which is one of the reasons they need to keep their DMDC records up to date to ensure that their benefits are not interrupted. Their job comes with many advantages and has its drawbacks, which they must deal with. Many of these service members risk their lives in service to their country and its people, and when their careers are over, they must deal with a slew of mental and physical health issues that can have a lasting impact on both them and those they leave behind.

Veteran's Mental Health Issues

It is common for veterans to deal with mental health issues. Military service can lead to various mental health issues as a result of exposure to such a stressful work environment.

The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

One of the most common trauma symptoms is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Even though it's normal to be shocked by a traumatic event, the leading cause of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the feeling of being chained to that experience.

As a result of their time in the military, many veterans find themselves unable to lead an everyday life as a civilian because they are haunted by the bad things that happened there. 

Veterans are more likely than civilians to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), so understanding the signs and symptoms is critical. Isolation from others, feelings of hopelessness, recurring nightmares or flashbacks, increased alertness, and negative thoughts and feelings are all common symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Anxiety and depression

Veterans are more prone to depression and anxiety than the general population because they have to deal with financial difficulties, job loss, and a sense of alienation as soon as they return home.

Most veterans believe that no one understands their plight and that no one in their circle of friends or family can offer them any form of emotional support. As a result, they feel a sense of survivor's guilt and try to distance themselves from the rest of society. This only worsens the situation, resulting in heightened stress and depression.

Brain Injury due to Trauma (TBI)

There are many reasons why ex-military members suffer from traumatic brain injury, including when an object hits their head or when they are near an explosion at the time.

Headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and trouble falling asleep are signs of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Veterans' mental health and behavior are affected due to all of this.

Ex-Military Members: How to Heal themselves

As a veteran, keeping in touch with friends and family while also battling physical and mental health issues can be taxing. As an ex-military member, the following tips can help you heal.

Do your best to improve your health.

If you want to recover mentally, you must pay close attention to your physical well-being. Even the most basic responsibilities in life will be beyond your physical capabilities if you lack physical strength.

You must include nutritious foods in your daily diet, such as a rainbow diet that contains all the nutrients you need to feel better about yourself and stronger.

Moving your muscles releases endorphins, which help alleviate stress, anxiety, and pain symptoms. Therefore, you should aim to work out five days a week for at least thirty minutes on each of those days. You can even engage in enjoyable outdoor pursuits like hiking or kayaking to get some exercise while also letting you breathe in some fresh air.

Numerous health issues can be caused by sleep deprivation, including anxiety. Set an evening routine to help train your circadian rhythm, which will make it easier for you to drift off to sleep at a reasonable hour. Getting rid of negative thoughts that might keep you awake at night can be as simple as meditating or writing in a journal before going to bed.

Engage with the people around you

If you're transitioning from military to civilian life, getting used to a "new" environment can be challenging. As a result, you must get out and mingle with the general public whenever you can.

It will help you overcome feelings of isolation or disconnection, and it will also make it easier for you to return to everyday life. To discover new interests, you should talk to your friends about their daily routines or even share your thoughts with them.

Talk to a qualified person.

Ignoring mental health issues and attempting to deal with them all on your own can be a temptation. Symptoms may worsen even if you think you're doing well initially.

You need to seek help from a professional if you're feeling suicidal or depressed. Your therapist may be able to identify the root cause of your problem and recommend the best treatment for you.

You don't have to worry about being judged if you open up to a therapist about your feelings and struggles. They'll give you sound advice to help you get out of your head and see things from a different perspective.

Connect with Support Group

Isolation can worsen mental health conditions after leaving the military; this is especially true for those who feel isolated after leaving the military.

As a result, it is highly recommended that you join a support group. To your surprise, you'll learn that you're not the only one dealing with the same issues. As a result, you will be able to bring yourself back to a state of calm much more quickly. Socializing with loved ones and others will also be more accessible.

Final Note

The military is an excellent career for those looking to serve their country, but it also comes with many risks and drawbacks. For the service members that have served our country in the armed forces, they must ensure that their record of duty is up-to-date so that if anything happens to them while they're still serving or after they've retired from active duty, then at least some benefits will be available for them and their family. Sometimes these veterans need assistance during this time because of physical or mental health issues stemming from combat trauma. Veterans can receive help through organizations like Disabled American Veterans (DAV), which provides housing assistance, education funding, job training programs, and more services explicitly tailored towards veterans' needs.