Category: Health

New Paths to Peace: Unique Ways for Veterans to Improve Mental Health

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Military man in uniform.
Image via Pexels

New Paths to Peace: Unique Ways for Veterans to Improve Mental Health

Transitioning from military to civilian life brings profound change. For many veterans, the shift involves not only adjusting to a new daily rhythm but also finding fresh ways to manage stress, anxiety, or emotional fatigue. While traditional therapy and support groups remain essential, there are unique, modern, and often creative methods that help veterans strengthen resilience, rediscover purpose, and improve mental health from the inside out. This guide offers practical, evidence-based approaches that build confidence, emotional stability, and lasting peace.

Key Points

  • Veterans can strengthen mental health through unconventional and purposeful outlets such as nature therapy, mentorship, mindfulness, or creative expression.
  • Career retraining and education can promote confidence and renewed identity.
  • Consistency in small daily habits has a compounding effect on emotional wellness.
  • Community engagement — not isolation — is key to long-term recovery.
  • Resources, online programs, and veteran-focused initiatives make support more accessible than ever.

Redefining Purpose Through Career Reinvention

Purpose is a powerful antidote to mental fatigue. For veterans adjusting to post-service life, exploring new professional directions can provide motivation, structure, and meaning.

Pursuing a career shift — especially one that aligns with service, leadership, or caregiving — can open up deeply fulfilling opportunities. For instance, going back to school allows veterans to convert lived experience into specialized knowledge. Many find that flexible education paths enable them to explore fields such as counseling, social work, or public administration.

The benefits of an online degree in psychology extend far beyond career advancement. They empower veterans to study cognitive and emotional patterns that shape human behavior — skills that can help others who face trauma, reintegration challenges, or anxiety. With remote learning, veterans can balance coursework with family, therapy, or work commitments while steadily moving toward a new purpose.

Other excellent career resources include:

Creative Expression as a Mental Health Tool

Art, writing, and music can bridge the gap between what veterans feel and what they can express. Studies show that creative activities lower cortisol, improve emotional regulation, and enhance mood stability.

Creative ideas that promote healing:

  • Use journaling apps such as Daylio to track emotional states and progress.
  • Explore veteran storytelling programs at Warrior Writers.
  • Try music-based mindfulness playlists from Spotify that help with grounding and focus.

These methods reconnect veterans to self-expression, identity, and self-worth — essential aspects of recovery.

Alternative & Holistic Practices for Balance

Method

Why It Works

Where to Start

Nature Therapy

Time in green spaces reduces anxiety and improves sleep.

Join veteran hikes via Team Red, White & Blue.

Mindfulness Meditation

Enhances focus and emotional regulation.

Try free sessions through Insight Timer.

Equine-Assisted Therapy

Builds trust and reduces hypervigilance.

Learn more at PATH International.

Yoga for PTSD

Reconnects body and mind through gentle movement.

Follow guided routines from Yoga With Adriene.

Beyond talk therapy, many veterans find relief through body-centered or outdoor practices that restore equilibrium.

Grounding and Daily Resilience

Daily Mental Reset Checklist for Veterans:

  • Morning Routine: Practice 5 minutes of deep breathing or stretching.
  • Connection: Reach out to one trusted person daily (friend, fellow vet, or family).
  • Activity: Do one small task that gives you a sense of progress.
  • Nature Exposure: Spend at least 15 minutes outdoors.
  • Reflection: Write one thing you accomplished each evening.
  • Sleep Routine: Turn off screens 30 minutes before bed.

 Tip: Use habit trackers such as Notion or TickTick to visualize consistency — even micro-wins matter.

How-To: Managing Emotional Overload

Step 1: Recognize early signals.
Notice tension in your body, irritability, or emotional withdrawal — these are signs of rising stress.

Step 2: Apply grounding techniques.
Try the 5–4–3–2–1 method (five things you see, four you touch, three you hear, two you smell, one you taste).

Step 3: Engage your network.
Text a peer, mentor, or family member. Isolation magnifies anxiety; communication defuses it.

Step 4: Seek professional guidance.
Connect with trauma-informed therapists through BetterHelp or the Veterans Crisis Line.

Step 5: Rebuild habits slowly.
Progress comes from small, repeatable steps — not instant transformation.

Social Healing: Building Supportive Communities

Connection remains the backbone of recovery. Veterans who find purpose through community engagement often experience higher levels of hope and belonging.

Ideas for building meaningful connection:

Every interaction that reinforces purpose, collaboration, or generosity helps rebuild emotional structure after military life.

Product Spotlight: Noise-Canceling Headphones for Stress Relief

Many veterans struggle with sensory overload or intrusive noise in daily environments. Investing in noise-canceling headphones, such as the Sony WH-1000XM5, can help manage hyperarousal and create a calm personal space for mindfulness, music, or meditation. These devices support grounding techniques and can be paired with apps like Calm or Headspace for deep relaxation.

FAQ: Veterans’ Mental Health Questions

Q1: How can I tell if I’m experiencing anxiety or PTSD?
Look for recurring nightmares, avoidance behaviors, and hypervigilance. The National Center for PTSD offers online screening tools.

Q2: What’s one easy way to start therapy if I’m hesitant?
Try online counseling platforms like Talkspace for private, accessible sessions.

Q3: Can exercise help mental health?
Absolutely. Even 20 minutes of movement daily releases endorphins and lowers cortisol. Check out routines at Healthline Fitness.

Q4: What if I can’t afford therapy?
The Give an Hour initiative offers free mental health care for veterans and families.

Glossary

  • Grounding Techniques: Methods used to bring focus back to the present moment.
  • Equine Therapy: Healing approach involving guided interaction with horses.
  • Mindfulness: Practice of being intentionally aware of the current moment.
  • Hyperarousal: Heightened alertness often experienced in PTSD.
  • Cognitive Regulation: Managing thought patterns that influence mood.

Healing is not about erasing memories — it’s about redefining how they live within you. Veterans who engage in creative, physical, and educational pursuits often rediscover the sense of mission that once drove them. Whether through art, service, or learning, these unique pathways lead not only to mental health but to renewed purpose, identity, and peace.

Discover vital resources and support for veterans at Vets Help Center, where your story matters and help is always just a click away.

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PTSD and Sleep

Posted on | by Flesh | Leave a Comment on PTSD and Sleep

Guide to Sleep and PTSD

https://purple.com/blog/ptsd-and-sleep

The guide covers:

  • What PTSD is and how it impacts sleep
  • Common sleep disturbances associated with PTSD, such as insomnia or night terrors
  • Strategies for addressing PTSD-related sleep issues
  • How to improve sleep hygiene and create a safe sleeping environment
  • Tips for partners of people with PTSD 

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Camp Lejeune Claims Center

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We exist to help military veterans harmed by the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune to get the financial benefits they deserve. We’re ready to help you — at no out-of-pocket cost to you or your family.

What Happened at Camp Lejeune?

Camp Lejeune is a U.S. Marine Corps Base in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Toxic chemicals were released into the water supply systems from 1953 to 1987. This means that nearly 1 million people may have been exposed to these harmful chemicals. As a result, anyone who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days during this period may now be entitled to compensation.

File a claim or call (866) 860-1236

https://www.camplejeuneclaimscenter.com/

https://www.camplejeuneclaimscenter.com/water-contamination/

 

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5 Ways Veterans Can Boost Their Sleep and Mental Health

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The following is one of many articles from Vets Help Center to offer support and insight to war vets.

 

5 Ways Veterans Can Boost Their Sleep and Mental Health

Are you a veteran who is sick and tired of being tired? You’re not alone. Veterans are commonly impacted by sleep issues, which can have detrimental effects on their mental health. Since mental health can also be a stressful issue for veterans, it’s important to have the resources and information you need to make improvements to the quality of your sleep and overall well-being. That’s where these simple wellness and health tips from Vets Help Center can come in handy:

Seek Out Social Connections

Mental health and sleep can be closely intertwined, which means that if you are struggling with depression and other emotional issues, finding relief could also help you find better sleep. One way you can take better care of your mental health is to stay socially connected, especially after your separation from active duty service. Social connections are essential for both your mental and physical health, so look for ways to stay in touch with friends, family members, and even other veterans. If you’re missing out on the comradery you felt while serving, you can also check out your local VFW or American Legion chapter to meet up with fellow veterans. Joining one of these organizations can be a great way for veterans to stay socially connected so they can boost their mental health and sleep.

Eliminate Sleep Disruptors

Do you wake up with jaw pain or headaches? Have your teeth been chipping or cracking? If so, you may be grinding or clenching your teeth at night, which reduces your sleep quality and can lead to other problems that make it more difficult to sleep. The good news is that it’s easy to solve this issue with nighttime aligners. They provide a soft, slick surface between your top and bottom teeth so they don’t wear down, and as a bonus, they can even straighten your smile in as little as 10 hours a day. There are a lot of options for aligners (with Byte and Smile Direct Club among the most popular), so consult an online buying guide to help you decide which option is right for helping you sleep more soundly.

Schedule More Time for Self-Care

Many people seem to think that self-care is a luxury, self-care is actually a basic necessity for managing mental and physical health. So if you are not making self-care a priority, you could be putting yourself under more pressure and strain that can lead to more issues with your mental health, and of course, your sleep. For maximum sleep benefits, try adding relaxing self-care to your evening routines. Unwinding with a hot shower or breathing exercises can help quiet any thoughts keeping you up at night and prepare your body for sleep. If you tend to have racing thoughts that make it hard to fall asleep, you can also keep a journal by your bed so that you can get them onto paper and off of your mind at bedtime.

Shop for a New Mattress

Are you still sleeping on a full-size mattress leftover from basic training? Upgrading to a quality queen-sized mattress could be the key to improving your sleep. A queen mattress can be a great option for individuals and couples alike, providing more space to sleep without taking up too much space in your home. Having a bigger mattress can actually be better for couples and provides more room when sleeping with your partner. Sleep style and support needs can impact your mattress choice, but brands like Purple and Nectar have multiple options that could be a good fit. Finding the right mattress is one of the most basic steps you can take to reduce discomfort and disturbances during the night, so no matter what size you buy, you should make sure you purchase the best bed for your body type, needs, and sleep preferences.

Search for Veteran Benefits & Support

When you are constantly missing out on quality sleep, you are doing some pretty serious damage to your body and brain. Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to chronic disease, cognitive impairments, and even premature death. So if improvements to your bedroom or routine don’t seem to improve your sleep, you may need to reach out to professionals. Thankfully, the VA does offer help with sleep issues, since many veterans experience sleep issues after their separation, particularly if they have PTSD. You can use these benefits to complete sleep studies and you can work with your healthcare provider to create a treatment plan that will reduce those sleepless nights. If stress about your mental health is making it difficult to sleep at night, you can also seek mental health help from your local VA or veteran organizations.

If you want to get back on track with your life and improve your mental well-being, you have to find ways to get back on track with your sleep. The tips above can be helpful for improving all aspects of overall health, but they can be especially beneficial for enhancing your sleep and taking back control of your life.

Photo Credit: Unsplash

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Helpful and Affordable Sleep Tips For Veterans

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Helpful and Affordable Sleep Tips For Veterans

 

According to research, many veterans have trouble getting a good night’s rest. Some of the issues that can cause disruptions in your sleep are PTSD, restless leg syndrome, and anxiety. It can take some work but having a well-rested night is still possible with these easy-to-implement, budget-friendly tips, presented by Vets Help Center.

 

Utilize Health Services

According to Health Finder, you should be getting between seven and eight hours of sleep per night. Of the many benefits you can expect when you’re well-rested include a reduction in stress and an improvement in how well your body fights off illnesses. In order to reap the benefits, try to time your sleep habits nightly; our bodies are naturally programmed to get better sleep at night than in the day. If you suspect an illness may be interfering with your sleep, be sure to consult a doctor. If you’re on a tight budget, consider taking advantage of the health services offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. You can access care from persons who are familiar with your specialized needs, and these services are free for up to a year after your separation from the military. 

 

Develop a Bedtime Routine

An effective bedtime routine can be very helpful, especially if you’re dealing with issues like PTSD. There’s no one-size-fits-all routine for everyone, so make sure you find out what works well for you. Some of the things you can try are going to bed at a particular time, trying out some calming exercises close to your bedtime and doing something relaxing like listening to music. Keeping the light low and cutting down on disruptive noises are recommended as well. If you have trouble sleeping in silence or are being affected by ringing in your ears, a white noise machine can make your quest for sleep more attainable.

 

Create a Sleep-Friendly Bedroom

An integral part of sleeping well at night is having the right setup in your bedroom. When you’re creating a sleep-friendly space, the National Sleep Foundation suggests dimming the lights and keeping intrusive noises to a minimum. You should keep the room cool and use soothing scents like lavender to help you relax. It’s also recommended that you have a comfortable mattress that’s complemented by the right pillows and bedding. You can pick up many of the things you need at affordable prices at a retailer like Target. If you decide to shop at Target online, make sure to take advantage of online deals and discounts, such as coupons and promo codes.

 

Document Your Sleepless Nights

While your sleeplessness can be caused by a number of factors, it’s important to keep notes if your sleep doesn’t improve after changes to your wellness routine. One of the health issues that can disrupt your nights is sleep apnea and you need to recognize the symptoms. If you’re gasping during your sleep, waking up feeling short of breath or waking up with a sore throat, you may need to talk to your doctor. To make sure you’re giving the doctor all the information they need, you should write down any issues that concern you when it comes to how you’re sleeping.

 

Getting a good night’s sleep is essential to many aspects of mental, emotional and physical health. When you’re being deprived of restful sleep, it can create a terrible negative cycle. To keep this from happening, make sure you develop a sleep-friendly routine and consult the professionals when you need them.

 

Vets Help Center offers informative content to help educate veterans on life after service.

 

Photo courtesy of Pexels

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Mental Health & Lung Cancer

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Mental Health & Lung Cancer

https://www.lungcancercenter.com/lung-cancer/complications/mental-health/

 

When someone receives a lung cancer diagnosis, it may cause complications. These can include mental health effects on the patient, their family members, caregivers, and friends. It’s important to recognize these changes and understand how this can affect the patient and the people around them. Knowing the symptoms and warning signs of someone struggling can help you expedite getting the support and treatment they need to combat these effects.

Distress

This word has many meanings. Distress encompasses unpleasant emotions, feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. Studies have shown the negative effects of distress in decision making and the person’s ability or willingness to keep up with their health. Patients describe feelings of distress as:

  • Anger
  • Helpless and/or hopeless
  • Loss of control
  • Panicked or anxious
  • Questioning faith, purpose, or meaning in life
  • Sad
  • Scared
  • Secluded

Some distress is to be expected during uncertain and intimidating times. Lung cancer is a stressful disease. If a person begins to feel overwhelmed to the point of concern, they may be having trouble coping. This can cause issues and disruptions in focus, sleep, and eating patterns.

If mental health effects begin interfering with the person’s quality of life, seeking professional help may be a good option. Common mental health conditions in lung cancer patients that evolve from distress consist of anxiety and depression.

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Keeping the Heart Healthy

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Keeping the Heart Healthy is a full time job, you can not pick when you will work on it or you might find that it is too late. We all know the things we should do, exercise, eat right and get plenty of sleep; but we don’t always do this.

This is going to be a work in progress, so if you read it once, you might have missed something that has changed or added, so check back from time to time if you find this of any help.

This is a list; not an exhausted list; but a start:

  1. Watch your weight and Mean Body Weight (MBW) by Body Fat
  2. Eat only organic food
  3. Little to no red meat
  4. Drink only water, no coffee or tea not even herbal, they are dietetics, no juice unless you prepare it from fresh fruit; one class (2 to 8 oz) of wine, red with no sulfites, mineral water from good source.
  5. Only get fat from fresh nuts
  6. Fresh fish, no skin
  7. Carrots, green beans, corn, spinach if you like them or not; eat some of them fresh and un-cooked at least once a week
  8. Apples with skin and one or two seeds, no more every day
  9. Grapes with seeds and skin
  10. Oxygen, by mask, setting at 8 for 20 minutes a day; you must breath deep; in fact you need to learn to breath right; slow deep breaths.
  11. Colon Cleanse frequently.
  12. Vitamins in correct dosage only.
  13. Exercise in moderation according to your age and health
  14. Breath Slow and Deep
  15. Relax
  16. Have Fun!
  17. Stress at the moment then let the moment go, do not hold on to it.
  18. Get some Sun but don’t not get Sun Burned!
  19. Fresh Air
  20. Keep your mind active, but focused
  21. No Aluminum, nothing from cans
  22. Know what you put into your bodies; it is a temple

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