Miami Vet Center!!!!!
305-859-8387
Tips for Veterans
returning home:
"FREEDOM IS NOT FREE"
Our care, concern and
Services, Are!
** Be patient, go slow in all that you do. Some things may be different. Take time to readjust
slowly.
** Exercise and eat right. Avoid alcohol. Get plenty of rest.
** Talk about what you experienced, let others reassure you. Reassure others. Communicate with
your partner, family and friends.
** Don't focus on the uncontrollable. Use self-care (see below).
** Establish a normal routine. Let other share in decisions. Get help if you feel overwhelmed by
daily activity.
** Relationships may be different. Take time for yourself and other to relax. Take time to readjust
to home life. Don't assume old roles too quickly. Give children time to adjust to having two parents
again.
** Reality may not be the same as your fantasies. Communicate with others. Share your thoughts.
** Uncontrollable anxiety, sleeplessness or nightmares, and medical symptoms may require
professional help.
** Vet Centers offer free, confidential, community based counseling services for Veterans and
their families. Our counselors, men and women, understand military service and many are
veterans themselves. Call us!! We care!
SELF CARE TO MANAGE STRESS AFTER A COMBAT EXPERIENCE
* Consider limiting your exposure to television coverage. While watching television coverage of
terrorist or military action may be compelling, increased viewing can raise tress levels. Monitor
yourself for signs of anger, rage, depression, anxiety, etc., and take a time-out from the
coverage to allow yourself to recover from these feelings.
* as much as possible, keep up with daily schedules and routines. Try to incorporate positive
activities into your day, even for brief periods of time.
* Keep up with your physical needs relating to exercise, food and sleep.
* Feel what you feel. It is normal to feel a wide range of emotions. Having these feelings is to be
expected; how you deal with the is the most important.
* Slow down and give yourself time and space to deal with what has happened.
* Remember that people have their own pace for dealing with traumatic incidents, and it is
important to listen to and honor your own pace.
*Count on feeling angry! But temper your actions with wisdom. Try to stay calm and avoid
reacting with impulsive anger toward any group or persons. Consider the long-term
consequences of these actions.
* Talk to someone close to you who may understand what you are going through.
* If you do not feel like talking, writing in a journal can be VERY helpful for dealing with intense
feelings.
* You are NOT alone! Seeking support with other Veterans can be very helpful when stress is
increasing. Consider joining a group at your local Vet Center.
* Seek assistance from your medical doctor or a mental-health professional who is skilled in
working with survivors of trauma if:
1) you are experiencing any symptoms that are causing significant distress, causing
significant changes in relationships, or impairing functioning at work.
2) You are self-medicating with alcohol or drugs.
3) you are unable to find relief using the strategies listed above.