Finding Balance While Deployed

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For me, "work/life balance" conjures up an image of scales with an exact balance between “work” and "life." Yet for so many of us, our work blends into our life there isn’t always a separation. Finding balance to me means ensuring my energy levels stay balanced. Being able to manage all the roles in my life. All my deployments caused me to find balance. My first six-month deployment in Iraq I learned what happens when you don't have balance. In my next year away in Kuwait, I learned how to apply rules. In this last six-month deployment to Jordan, I now incorporate healthy habits into my life.

Recognizing Imbalance

When deployed, we fill fewer roles because we are gone. Yet being away from our friends and family while in a new environment can increase stress. At home, and especially away, we need to be vigilant in finding balance in our lives. It is sometimes easier to notice when you are out of balance than when in balance. Some of my common indicators common are grumpiness, getting snappy, or zoning out. When you feel it coming on, observe yourself and ask what is happening? What is causing your mood? What is causing the imbalance? Did you get enough sleep? Are you working too much? Much can cause the tightness, stress in the shoulders, sometimes a catch or tension in your voice. When that happens to me, I try to take a few deep breaths and step away for a moment. Then I ensure I work out, send an email to a friend, and I try to go to bed a little earlier.

Learning the Rules

What can you do for yourself to maintain your energy levels and cope in a positive manner? In my first long deployment to Iraq, I had about every stressor in life happen to me at the same time. To top it off I was working around the clock and not getting much sleep. Of course the morning rocket attack alarms didn't help...No other way to put it, I burnt myself out. When I got home, I was beyond exhausted and it took a long time for me to recover. One thing that helped me heal was a counselor (Military One Source, free resource for military) teaching me the “Five Rules.” I don't always follow exactly, but I try to build my daily habits from these principles. I learned through trial and error, that if I find myself out of balance it is because I am not following the rules:

1. Get an adequate amount of sleep.

When I was in college and starting out as an LT I took pride in surviving off of only four to five hours of sleep. Looking back, I was on edge - a bundle of nerves and aggression. It wasn't until I started school at DLI and I had to sit still in class, something that would often put me to sleep. I started going to bed early and WOW, I learned sleep is awesome! It is so much better to get it throughout the week versus being comatose for a Saturday once a month. Definitely a light bulb moment for me, something I wish I learned sooner in life. There are many benefits to getting the right amount of sleep. It rejuvenates your body and your mind. It helps you handle any of life's issues with ease and clarity. I have used the iPhone app Sleep Cycle and I am able to track the quality and quantity of sleep. It is always fun to see how I'm sleeping. Fit Bit is also a new gadget that monitors sleep. We improve what we track and technology can help us.

2. Eat nourishing food.

Eating nourishing food might be the most challenging in a deployed environment. A limited menu in the dining facility and plenty of junk food available creates a challenge. When friends ask me for care package ideas I ask for healthy snacks. My husband just sent me freeze dried fruit, crazy delicious! With all the free water around, definitely ensure you are drinking plenty of water.

3. Get some form of exercise each day.

This could be the easiest in the deployed environment. Build it in your schedule. Work will be there but maintain that commitment to you, make the appointment on your calendar. Then hold yourself to that date. A friend in her last deployment ensured she left work at the same time every day to go running. She maintained that commitment to herself. She also tracked how far she ran each time and over time she the increased mileage rewarded her.

Working out with a partner or in a group is also very useful. When we are building a habit, it can be easy for us to break a commitment with ourselves. But with a commitment to someone else, you are more likely to show up. You can even have a remote workout partner. During this deployment, I wanted to develop a daily workout habit. I wanted to do a quick yoga workout routine called the Five Tibetans (they call it the fountain of youth). A friend and I committed to doing them for 21 days. One night when I realized I hadn't done them yet, I actually got out of bed to complete. We completed all 21 days and even completed a second round. Now it is part of my morning routine and am much healthier for it. Even if I don't get another workout in, at least I know I did some exercise that day.

4. Read something positive/inspirational each day.

Read?! What?! Twitter feeds don't count! Our mind is a muscle and if we don't challenge it, it atrophies like our biceps if we don't work out. There is also something calming about reading and learning. It will help clear your mind with filling it with something positive each day. It can be a short time, start with 10 minutes a day, and then expand to 20. There are many options. You can read the book of your faith, or anything else that makes you smile or learn something new. I must confess...I like to [try] to do two things at once and I have a work around! While on my remote to Kuwait I discovered a game changer...Audible.com. I LOVE to read and yet I am pretty busy. With Audible books, I can listen and get ready for the day, walk to work, AND "read." Audible books are such an incredible addition to my life. They helped my time away speed by and I continued listening stateside. Of course I listen while deployed here as well. Consider your options and find something that works for you.

5. Do something fun, nurturing, relaxing each day.

All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy...yes it does the same for Jane too. What makes you smile? Or better yet, laugh? Take care of yourself and form bonds with your coworkers. Out here coworkers can become family. No you did not choose to deploy with them, but we are in a tight space and we must figure out how to get along. Might as well also enjoy a laugh together. Connect with others, ideas for fun things include: Volleyball games, the game “corn hole” (can be surprisingly addicting), poker, movie nights, random dancing, and even group workouts.

Balance Equals Belly Laughs

Following the Five Rules encourages a stable and positive mental and physical well-being. It will keep you sane in an environment of stressors and away from loved ones. When I sense I'm out of balance, I look at these rules and try to get back into following them. Had I followed these when I was in Iraq I would have had a much healthier outlook. Then again, that was the lesson I needed to learn because even stateside I worked too much. I lived a stressed life and did not manage my energy well. Now, with balance, taking the time to invest in myself, life is better and easier. I am far more productive. I smile more and is there anything that feels better than a good belly laugh? Ensuring balance also opens up other options. Such as becoming creative, finding and following your passions. Not to mention, if you are less grouchy, others may enjoy your company more.

Home and Away

These rules are like the oxygen mask in a flight. If you feel drained, take the "me time" to renew, refresh, and rest. You must take care of yourself before you can take care of anything or anyone else.

Take advantage of the simplicity of a deployment. It can be a great opportunity to build healthy daily habits to ensure balance in your life. Put in place these practices while deployed, then blend them into your home life when you return. Of course, continue following the five rules. If you are not deployed, these Five Rules still apply anywhere at any point in your life. Don't need to be stubborn like me and learn the hard way. Finding personal and professional balance in life is critical to a healthy lifestyle. Look for your signals that signal imbalance and re-center yourself whenever necessary.