Managing stress in the military

From: National Defence

Managing stress can be a daily balancing act.  Many daily stressors can have an impact on your physical and mental well-being.

To help Canadian Armed Forces members manage their stress, and improve their health and well-being, comprehensive stress management courses and workshops were developed.

What is the Stress: Take Charge course

“Stress: Take Charge” is a self-directed course designed to teach participants how to manage stress through self-awareness, changing behaviours and skill building.  You will be empowered to manage your own stress by using strategies that you already use.  You will also be encouraged to learn and practice new strategies identified during the course.

The “Stress: Take Charge” course consists of 6 two-hour modules filled with information and opportunities to manage daily stressors.  You will:

• understand the stress reaction in a military context
• choose and practice specific skills and strategies used to decrease stress and build resilience
• benefit from regular practice of the relaxation response

The “Stress: Take Charge” course was developed by the Directorate of Force Health Protection as part of the Strengthening the Forces program.

For more information about the “Stress: Take Charge” course, contact your Health Promotion Office.