By Nicole Mayo, PhD, and Geneviève Smith, PhD, DHA-Public Health

When we consider mission readiness requirements, what comes to mind?

Perhaps it is the ability to pass required physical fitness and body composition tests, weapons qualifications, or pre-deployment medical and dental exams. Regardless of the requirement, physical and mental fitness is an important factor that impacts mission readiness.

Members of the military face a variety of operational stressors, both physical and mental, that contribute to allostatic load, a term meaning “wear and tear” of the body. As these repeated stressors increase allostatic load, service members may face increased risk of emotional distress, burnout, or illness.

Studies suggest certain traits such as mental strength And resilienceas well as positive coping behaviors, such as seeking advice from a trusted source and obtaining emotional support, can help military personnel cope and manage these stressors and experiences. Psychological fitness is also linked to virtually every aspect of health, sometimes in unexpected ways. Ensuring that service members are not only physically fit, but also psychologically fit can help optimize a medically ready force.

Military mental or psychological health can be described as the ability to effectively cope with the unique stressors and mental challenges necessary to ensure mission readiness and success. To support these efforts, here are some ways various dimensions of health can impact military mental health and readiness.

Exposure to extreme environments

Military training and operations may take place in extreme environments, including at high altitude, or in exceptionally exposed locations. high Or weak temperatures. These environments can negatively impact mood and lead to increased anxiety or depressive symptoms.

Financial problems

Financial difficulties can create a mix of emotions such as feelings of anxiety, anger and frustration. These emotions can impact a person’s daily functioning. Together, these stressors can contribute to the development of health problems or unhealthy behaviors, such as sleep problems, depression or domestic violence.

Medical or dental conditions

Living with illness, injury or other health conditions can have a profound impact on mental health by amplifying stress and creating anxiety and depression. It can also impact the quality and quantity of sleep, an important aspect of mental health. Additionally, hearing problems and tinnitus, which is persistent ringing in the ears, are common among military members and veterans and can worsen mental health problems such as anxiety or depression. The impact of medical and dental issues can influence the mental health of service members by increasing stress and leading to unhealthy coping behaviors such as substance abuse, smoking, or risky alcohol use. These behaviors in turn negatively impact mental health, often worsening the symptoms the military is trying to alleviate. For resources on how to quit smoking or using other forms of tobacco, visit TRICARE Smoking Cessation Services Webpage.

Nutrition and eating behaviors

A nutritious diet can have a positive effect on many aspects of military health and well-being, including mental health. A high-quality diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains can positively influence resilience. A quality diet can even reduce certain symptoms of anxiety and depressive disorders, especially when combined with regular physical activity.

Exercise and fitness

You’re probably familiar with the term “runner’s high,” which refers to the positive effects that physical activity can have on mood. For this reason, it is not surprising that service members who meet or exceed current physical activity guidelines tend to be less likely to report experiencing symptoms of anxiety disorder, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Exercising or playing sports can also be a healthy coping mechanism for managing stress and feelings of anxiety or depression.

Social networks and unit cohesion

Social networks such as close friends and relatives can provide a supportive environment for military personnel facing the stressors of daily life. Often, one of the most influential and critical sources of social support for service members is their unit, and unit cohesion can have a positive impact on mental health by providing a source of support and acting as a protective factor against symptoms of depression. However, when behaviors such as bullying, favoritism, or hazing exist within the unit, a service member’s mental health can be significantly impaired.

Religion or Spirituality

Studies show that spirituality can have a positive effect on mental health and can potentially reduce the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder. Research suggests that the beneficial effects of spirituality and religion on mental health may be due to a greater sense of meaning or purpose in life that spiritual individuals may experience. Greater meaning in life may also protect against PTSD symptoms and suicidal thoughts. Spirituality and religion can also be a source of social support and a sense of community, both of which are beneficial for mental health and well-being. Unfortunately, difficult experiences or circumstances can cause religious or spiritual individuals to question their belief system, further reinforcing the importance of the sense of community that can be found through spirituality and the social support that it can bring in times of uncertainty.

Conclusions

Together, these relationships between multiple aspects of physical, social, and mental health highlight the importance of addressing military health using a holistic approach to maximize well-being and readiness. It is important to strive to adopt several healthy behaviors, including following physical activity guidelines, getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and managing your finances responsibly, as the effect of these behaviors on mental health may or may not be obvious. It is important to note that while practicing positive health behaviors can alleviate some of the stressors of military life as well as symptoms of anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder, it is These behaviors are unlikely to completely prevent the onset of these disorders. , particularly in response to traumatic experiences. Therefore, it is also important to eliminate any stigma surrounding military members reporting feelings of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts so they can receive the help they need. However, striving to practice several healthy behaviors will likely have positive impacts on overall physical and mental health.

For more resources on how to optimize health, visit Human Performance Resources by CHAMP at https://www.hprc-online.org/mental-fitness/mental-health.

If you or someone you know is concerned about alcohol, substance or prescription drug use, the Own Your Limits program (https://ownyourlimits.org) and Too Much to Lose (https://toomuchtolose.org) websites are full of useful information and other resources.

The Defense Health Agency supports our nation by improving health and strengthening readiness, making extraordinary experiences ordinary and exceptional outcomes routine.

NOTE: Mention of any non-Federal entity and/or its products is for informational purposes only and should not be construed, in any manner, as Federal endorsement of such non-Federal entity or its products.