The Connection Between Military Service and Resilience

If you’re a military servicemember—congrats! You likely possess an impressive level of resilience already. Military service and resilience are closely linked due to the demanding nature of military life, which often fosters both mental and physical toughness. For example, military training exposes servicemembers to physical and psychological stress and adversity, which builds resilience, as does the structured, disciplined environment in which servicemembers are taught to adapt to change, handle difficult situations, persevere under pressure, and develop mental toughness and fortitude. The military and individual units also provide social support and camaraderie, a sense of belonging that helps servicemembers bounce back from setbacks. Have you received training in problem-solving, adaptability, or critical thinking? Those skills enhance the ability to navigate life’s challenges and contribute to a resilient mind as well.

Strategies for Building and Maintaining Resilience
Even though you may have a head start on resiliency because of your service, everyone can benefit from continuing to strengthen and maintain this essential trait. Here are ten tips to do just that:

1. Cultivate a Positive Mindset. Optimism is critical to resilience. Focus on the positive aspects of situations, identify areas within your control, and approach challenges with a “can-do” attitude.
   
   
2. Develop Emotional Regulation. Stress management techniques like mindfulness, meditation, or deep breathing can help control emotional reactions to adversity, leading to better decision-making and resilience in the face of stress.
   
   
3. Build Strong Social Connections. Support networks of friends, family, colleagues, or mentors can provide emotional support and practical assistance during difficult times. Sharing experiences and receiving feedback can improve resilience.
   
   
4. Set Realistic Goals and Focus on Small Steps. Break large problems or goals into smaller, more manageable tasks. Achieving these smaller steps builds confidence and helps maintain momentum, reducing feelings of being overwhelmed.
   
   
5. Practice Self-Care. Taking care of physical health, getting regular exercise, maintaining a balanced diet, and ensuring adequate sleep are essential to mental and physical resilience.
   
   
6. Embrace Change and Adaptability. Accept that change is a part of life. Instead of resisting, try to see change as an opportunity to grow and learn new skills, which is key to resilience.
   
   
7. Focus on Problem-Solving. Developing a solution-oriented mindset helps build resilience. Instead of focusing on problems or failures, think of what can be done to improve the situation.
   
   
8. Reflect on Past Experiences. Think back on past challenges you’ve overcome. Identifying what worked and what didn’t can help you develop strategies for facing future adversity.
   
   
9. Maintain a Sense of Purpose. Having a clear sense of purpose, such as personal values or goals, provides direction and motivation when facing hardships. This can help individuals stay focused during tough times.
   
   
10. Seek Professional Help When Needed. If stress or adversity becomes overwhelming, professional help like counseling or therapy can provide tools and techniques for building and maintaining resilience. Military OneSource is a great resource—always free and confidential—to help you get started.

Life—especially military life—can be challenging. But you can meet those challenges by enhancing your emotional strength, fostering support, and identifying tools to help you handle life’s ups and downs. Take care of yourself to be your most adaptable, persistent, and resilient self!

Photo by Lance Cpl. Roger-Junior Annoh