Spiritual Resiliency

Who’s under these extreme individual stress situations?

• uncertainty about deployment time lines • culture shock in theater • fear of or confrontation with death or physical injury • environmental challenges such as extreme climates and

geographical features • austere living conditions • separation from friends and family members • reintegration after deployment• frequent relocations • long work hours

Some cope but many may suffer negative consequences such as:

• physical injury including traumatic brain injury • depression • anxiety• posttraumatic stress disorder • substance abuse • family dysfunction • marital problems and dissolutions • social isolation • and in extreme cases even suicide or suicide attempts

Now…

We have seen the situations and the consequences.

But we missed something!

Our Thinking Affects What We Feel and Do

Something happens. We think about it. We respond.

Events Thoughts Response

To help us, let’s think of it as learning our ABC’S:

• (A) Something bad happens (Adversity)

• (B) We have certain thoughts (Beliefs)

• (C) Feelings/behaviour follow (Consequences )

How our thinking manages us

Feelings

Thinking

Calm times Strong emotions

Research shows that our values become the “auto pilot” when we’re under stress.

What do we value most:

• Family• Community• Accomplishment• Success• Faith• Making a difference• Common good• Contribution• …

Some useful tips to inspire you…

Have a positive or optimistic outlook (have fun)

Be mindful

Learn to live with your fears

Wish you a spiritually resilient life