“After returning from the battlefield-the tip of the spear- a warrior is often confused, opening mental pathways in which anxiety, guilt, low self-esteem, and drug venerability may enter the mindspace” says CAPT Kevin Smith, author of Critical Thinking Essentials, “But this is not inevitable”.
AUSTIN, Texas (PRWEB)
September 27, 2019
Hundreds of thousands of veterans are battling post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. Suicide in the veteran community remains at an epidemic level, 22 per day. After combat deployments, many service members experience flashbacks and a deep survivor’s guilt. But like many people who have survived trauma, many find positive change as well—a new appreciation for life, a newfound sense of personal strength and a new focus on helping others. (Source: themeditatingvet)
Why are some people more resilient than others—and can it be taught?
“Meditation, yoga, and breathwork have offered relief and healing I never could have imagined, both for me and for the other veterans I’ve worked with,” says Tom Voss is the co-author of the Where War Ends: A Combat Veteran’s 2,700-Mile Journey to Heal ― Recovering from PTSD and Moral Injury through Meditation (https://www.themeditatingvet.com/)
“Individuals who have experienced trauma must have stress-reducing activities scheduled into their calendar on a regular basis,” says Carter. “Meditation, deep-breathing techniques, quiet time in nature, a creative activity like painting or writing, reading a book, or listening to calming music are all excellent ways to soothe yourself and get someone on their road to recovery,” says Dr. Rob Carter III, author of The Morning Mind: Use Your Brain to Master Your Day and Supercharge Your Life (http://www.themorningmind.com)
“After returning from the battlefield-the tip of the spear- a warrior is often confused, opening mental pathways in which anxiety, guilt, low self-esteem, and drug venerability may enter the mindspace” says CAPT Kevin Smith, author of Critical Thinking Essentials, “But this is not inevitable”
5 Natural Ways to Hack into Post-Traumatic Growth and make them stick:
1. Peer Support. ”Peer support provides you with opportunities to share your experiences and more rapidly install the new behavior you want,” says Voss.
“The most important thing in the life of a fellow warrior is not what we think, but How we think,” says Smith, “knowing this we realize that thinking need not be a random process but can be structured and organized in which a frame of reference-that is a Mental Model-is established that promotes well-being.”
2. Exercise. “One of the first steps in overcoming post-traumatic stress is engaging in regular physical activity,” says Voss “a great way to start every day is with light exercise in the morning is a great way to get on a pathway of post-traumatic growth.”
3. Meditation. “If you struggle to connect with the emotions you want to create, meditation is an excellent tool to reconnect your mind and body,” says Voss. Carter says, “Meditation can help you can piggyback old positive experiences onto new desired ones to maximize success,”
4. Nature Immersion. “Deep nature immersion is excellent medicine for the madness of modern life,” says Voss “cultivating awareness of nature will lead you back to a simpler and more organic way of relating to life that reveals new and exciting layers of your personality.” Carter says, “Being in nature helps produce a comfort zone for our lizard brain.” Smith says, “It wants to feel good, and nature immersion helps to reduce anxiety and silence the Lizard’s fear.”
5. Mindful Lifestyle. “A mindful lifestyle simply means being present in the moment,” says Carter “simply acknowledging and being aware at all times of everything.” Smith, says “Critical thinking and decision making requires being present and being attentive to all the things that you have”. Carter says, “Stressors consume the brain’s energy, preventing other functions, and create irrational, illogical thought.”
About Dr. Rob Carter III, Tom Voss & CAPT Kevin Smith
Dr. Rob Carter III is co-author of The Morning Mind: Use Your Brain to Master Your Day and Supercharge Your Life (http://www.themorningmind.com). Dr. Rob Carter is a U.S. Army Officer, an expert in human performance and physiology with an academic appointment at the University of Texas. He holds a PhD in medical physiology, is a Gates Scholar, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard School of Public Health. He lives in Austin, Texas.
Tom Voss is the co-author of the Where War Ends: A Combat Veteran’s 2,700-Mile Journey to Heal ― Recovering from PTSD and Moral Injury through Meditation (https://www.themeditatingvet.com/). Tom served with the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, an element of the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, one of the Army’s first Stryker Infantry Brigades. He served as an infantry scout in the battalion scout-sniper platoon, and currently teaches yoga and meditation in Ojai, California.
Captain Kevin M. Smith U. S. Navy (Ret.) is a former Squadron Commander and Top Gun Fighter Pilot, being responsible for training both F-4 and F-14 Aircrews in Advanced Aerial Combat. Captain Smith is currently an Author, Speaker and Design Consultant.
