When we’re stressed, it can often provide us with motivation to do something, whether that’s performing at work or dealing with a tough situation. However, when stress gets out of control or becomes a chronic problem, it can have a drastic impact on a person’s physical and mental health. 

Airmen are uniquely exposed to stressful situations as part of their line of work. While this stress may be inevitable, it’s important to keep it controlled and learn how to manage your stress so it doesn’t impact your career or health. In this blog, we’ll go over the different ways you can deal with your stress or stressful situations while you’re in the Air Force. 

Reasons Why the Air Force Can Be Stressful

Any job can come with stress, but what makes the Air Force unique is the exposure to stressors and potential traumatic situations that aren’t common or heard of in the civilian workforce. Deployments, high-intensity scenarios, combat situations, and long periods away from home can cause excessive stress for our Airmen, which can have a significant impact on their lives. 

If you’re not dealing with your stress in the right ways, you can actually experience physical symptoms that can make it hard to continue to perform at your job. Some of these symptoms include things like:

• Cognitive impairment
• Trouble with decision-making or concentration
• Tension and muscle pains
• Headaches and fatigue
• Anxiety or nausea
• Behavioral changes

If you don’t have the proper methods for coping with your stress, it can start to have a negative impact on your life and health. Chronic stress can cause physical symptoms and health issues when it goes unresolved, and the mental and behavioral changes can impact your ability to show up in your personal and professional life.

Our Top 6 Tips for Managing Stress While You’re in the Air Force

While a career in the Air Force can be stressful, it doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to cope with this stress so you can thrive in your work and your personal life. If you learn how to manage your stress, it will be easier to handle the challenges that the Air Force throws your way as well as any other life stressors that may crop up from time to time. Below are some methods for stress management so you can thrive in your life and improve your overall well-being. 

1. Focus on What’s Happening Now

While it can be easy to get caught up in past mistakes or fear about the future, it can wreack havoc onn your life if you let it consume you. Anxieties about the past or future can make it hard to focus on what’s happening in the current moment, which makes it harder to show up for your work or life in general. 

When you can, try to focus on staying in the present moment, especially if you’re feeling stressed. You can’t change what happened in the past, and being consumed by what might happen in the future can make it impossible to get things done or handle what’s happening in the moment. If you notice you’re starting to feel some anxiety about the past or future, try to pull yourself back into the current moment and focus on what you can control. 

Keep in mind that the troubles you’re going through aren’t permanent and they will pass with time. One day, the challenges you’re going through will be a distant memory, and the things you’re dealing with will eventually improve. Being positive and staying grounded in the current moment can go a long way in alleviating some of your stress. 

2. Find Healthy Ways to Cope

When you’re dealing with stress, it’s important to find healthy ways to cope so you’re relieving some of your stress and avoiding unhealthy coping mechanisms that could make your situation worse, especially things like alcohol or illegal substances.

Instead, opt for healthier and effective alternatives, such as:  

• Meditation, exercise, or yoga
• Spending time with loved ones
• Art therapy or games
• Journaling or creative writing

Engaging in activities you enjoy that have a positive impact on your mental health can help relieve some of the stress you’re feeling as part of your job. It will also give you something else to focus on apart from your work, so that you can decompress at the end of each day. 

3. Make Time for Yourself

It can be easy to get caught up in life and forget to take care of yourself. Even if you’re busy with your busy schedule as a member of the Air Force, you should make some time for yourself, even if it’s for an hour or two before you go to sleep for the night. You can even schedule your personal time in advance if you’re finding it hard to take a moment for yourself during the day.

What you do in your personal time will be different from others, but you should try to do something that helps relieve your stress. Think about what you enjoy doing, whether it’s spending time with loved ones, playing your favorite game, or relaxing with a good book. Commit to doing something for yourself at least once a week so you can decompress from your stressful work.

4. Get Support From Your Community

When you’re feeling overwhelmed from your work, you can reach out to your community for support. Your family and friends can be there to listen when you are stressed, giving you the opportunity to vent so you don’t bottle it all up inside. They may even be able to offer advice or help you find ways to manage your stress so it doesn’t negatively impact your health. Members of your unit can also be good people to talk to, as they can relate to the stressors you’re experiencing. Other Airmen can offer their advice and strategies for dealing with stress, giving you a better idea of how to manage what you’re going through. 

5. Use Relaxation Methods

If you’re feeling particularly stressed, there are different ways to help relieve what you’re feeling, especially if you're finding it difficult to engage in activities you enjoy. There are breathing exercises you can learn to help you manage stress in the moment, and exercise is an excellent way to handle your stress while improving your health. Even taking a moment to just step outside and breathe can help lower your stress levels. Find a relaxation technique that works for you, and fall back on it if you’re ever feeling particularly stressed in a moment. 

6. Get Help if You Need It

Sometimes, it can be overwhelming to try to deal with stress on your own. A professional can help you deal with your stress and give you actionable steps for managing it in your day to day life. As an Airman, you’ll also have access to therapy and related services so you can get the help you need. A professional can also help you address any underlying problems or conditions that could be adding to your stress, such as anxiety, depression, or something else. A therapist or counselor can give you the tools to stay positive and handle problems in constructive ways so you’re not adding to your stress.

Take the Stress Out of Finding Your Uniforms With AUSI

The work you do as an Airman is stressful enough, and having to find a uniform that meets strict AFI standards can add unnecessary stress to your day. American Uniform Sales has your back with our selection of AFI-compliant uniforms, including OCPs, ranks, insignia, and footwear. You can also find gear to support you in your operations, including an impressive selection of bags, packs, and cases. Check out our selection to find what you need or contact us with your questions.