Page 2 - Nellis, Creech, NTTR Bullseye 12-4-15
P. 2

2 December 4, 2015                                              Commentary                                                                                                                            BULLSEYE

www.aerotechnews.com/nellisafb                                                                                                                                                         Facebook.com/NellisBullseye

Dealing with holiday stress

By Capt. Jerry Novack                                              I maintain my year-round savings habits by setting up           Coping with sadness
                                                                automatic, online funds transfers into retirement and sav-         For many people, the winter holidays and New Year’s cel-
96th Medical Group                                              ings accounts, and limit (or eliminate) credit cards with       ebration carries meaning and/or memories that can conjure
                                                                high-interest ratings. I also create a “tighten the belt” plan  feelings of sadness, anxiety or grief. I hesitate to call these
   EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — It’s that time of year          for early January to help me recover from the holiday ex-       negative emotions because in certain circumstances they can
again. All things pumpkin spice become all things pepper-       penses. If anyone needs help managing holiday spending,         be not only appropriate, but helpful. However, for some, these
mint; television networks start showing nostalgic, holiday-     make an appointment with a financial advisor or go to the       feelings can seem overwhelming, especially when juxtaposed
themed movies; in northwest Florida, we complain about          nearest Airman and Family Readiness Center.                     with the happiness and cheer they see around them.
cold weather while the rest of the country actually deals with                                                                     First, know that feeling down is perfectly normal from
winter; and I write the holiday stress mental health message.      Family                                                       time to time. Do not forget we are resilient, even when
                                                                   I adore my family. The more I miss them, the more I          we do not necessarily feel that way. Also, “timeouts” are
   My challenge, of course, is to write something of value      adore them. Each year, I approach the holidays longing to       perfectly acceptable. Just like with family visits, temporar-
not already heard or read ad nauseam. This can be a real        reconnect with my siblings, parents, nieces and nephews.        ily disengaging from holiday cheer can provide a much
challenge, considering the main stressors this time of year     By Jan. 2, I cannot wait to get away from them again. Time      needed break and enable you to reconnect with renewed
remain relatively constant.                                     with family can be simultaneously wonderful, fulfilling and     excitement and joy.
                                                                frustratingly stressful. We can get overwhelmed if we forget       If feeling overwhelmed with holiday stress, or notice that a
   Finances                                                     to schedule personal time or “little getaways” when visiting    wingman does not seem to be coping well, reach out for help.
   I should recommend to create and stick to a holiday bud-     with family. For me, an afternoon spent in the bookstore        Talk to friends, family, chaplain or mental health providers.
get, spend time with loved ones instead of spending money       or at a local Brazilian jiujitsu school can help me get some       Accompany the wingman to a helping professional, if
on presents, and consider thrifty options when gift shopping.   downtime, remember that I really do love these people, and      she/he refuses to go alone. If confused about the difference
If you do these things effectively, then you should be writing  re-engage renewed and happy.                                    between family advocacy and Airman and Family Readi-
me advice — not the other way around.                              Without scheduled breaks, I get irritable and relation-      ness Center, just go to any helping agency. We will get you
   No matter how well I plan and budget, I find myself          ships begin to rapidly deteriorate. Figure out what you need    where you need to go. The most important thing is just get
blindsided by unexpected expenses beyond gifts. There are       in order to manage family visits and protect it because it      the support you or your wingman need.
holiday cards, parties, meals out, entertainment events, and    matters.
postage I consistently fail to consider. Some strategies can
help with damage control, though.

Volunteerism affects positive change

By Lt. Col. Stephen A. Simko                               of volunteerism that I think each and every                  received with the most thanks. Tennis cham-                    have found most beneficial is affecting posi-
                                                           one of us owes to the various communities                    pion Arthur Ashe stated it best: “Volunteer!                   tive change in the lives of others. Most of my
349th Maintenance Group                                    we live in throughout our careers.                           Start where you are. Use what you have. Do                     volunteer efforts have centered on coaching
                                                                                                                        what you can.”                                                 youth sports and volunteering with Boy
   TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. —                            There are a number of great quotes relative                                                                              Scouts of America. Were those opportuni-
Throughout our military careers, we often                  to volunteerism, one that struck a chord with                   Although the basic premise of volunteering                  ties challenging, time consuming, stressful
talk of being a volunteer force, a subset of               me is from Gandhi, who said, “The best way                   is to help someone else, there are a number                    and lots of work? Absolutely. However, that is
our culture that has volunteered to serve our              to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service          of benefits the volunteer receives as well. For                never what comes to mind when I look back
country in the profession of arms.                         of others.” As members of the Air Force, we                  starters, there are psychological benefits. Mark               on my efforts.
                                                           all live very busy lives, from our normal duty               Snyder, a psychologist and head of the Center
   Without disrespect to anyone currently                  schedules, to exercises, weekend duties, shift               for the Study of the Individual and Society                       The best memories that come to mind are
in uniform or those that have served before                work, and especially deployments.                            at the University of Minnesota, states that                    that of a kid that was very shy and afraid of
me, I have always been in conflict over the                                                                             “people who volunteer tend to have higher                      camping on his first trip earning his Eagle
military/volunteer discussions. Granted, there                It is easy to fall into a mundane pattern of              self-esteem, psychological well-being, and                     Scout five years later; or that 12 year old that
were times in our past when the draft was in               life. If volunteer work isn’t already part of your           happiness. All of these things go up as their                  was about to quit volleyball but grew into the
place and a number of our nation’s citizens                life, I would challenge you to start out with                feelings of social connectedness goes up,                      sport and went on to play collegiately; or even
were forced into service. My conflict centers              finding just an hour a week to “lose yourself                which in reality, it does. It also improves their              a former athlete I coached at the middle school
on the aspect that we are all compensated for              in the service of others.”                                   health and even their longevity.”                              level that later joined the military.
our service, we receive some amount of pay,
housing allowances, bonuses at times, medi-                   If you look at the microcosm of “any base                    In a recent study from Carnegie Mellon                         There is no way of measuring the specific
cal benefits, and a variety of other benefits              USA,” I would argue that we easily make up                   University, published in the Psychology and                    impact I’ve had over the years on those I have
throughout our career.                                     the most diverse of skillsets per acre anywhere              Aging journal, adults over age 50 who vol-                     served, but I like to think that I have at a mini-
                                                           in the country. Take that and match it up                    unteered on a regular basis were less likely                   mum been a positive role model to all those I
   By definition, yes, we did all volunteer to             against the needs of just about any commu-                   to develop high blood pressure than non-                       have volunteered with.
serve our country in the military. But when                nity, and you should easily find a volunteer                 volunteers, demonstrating a direct physical
I talk about volunteerism, I am referring to               opportunity that matches your specific skillset              benefit of volunteering.                                          In closing, former British Prime Minister
those that have given their own time and en-               or interest. Volunteering doesn’t have to be a                                                                              Winston Churchill stated, “We make a liv-
ergy to serve others — these are the people I              big, formal program or event; it is oftentimes                  Although the physical and psychological                     ing by what we get. We make a life by what
have the highest level of respect. It is this type         a simple act we may take for granted that is                 benefits are real and good for us, the reward I                we give.”

             Bullseye News Staff                                The Bullseye is published by Aerotech News and Review,  available for purchase and use of patronage without regard     articles must include a byline (author of the story).
                                                           a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force,  to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital        For all submissions, a name and phone number of a
Paul Kinison, Publisher, Aerotech News and Review          under exclusive written contract with Nellis Air Force       status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other
Barry Anderson, Advertising Sales                          Base, Nev. Contents of the Bullseye are not necessarily the  non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron.             person to contact must be included in the event questions
Karl Dean, Advertising Sales                               official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the                                                                 arise.
Stuart Ibberson, Editor                                    Department of Defense or the Department of the Air Force.         The deadline for submissions to the Bullseye is
Tinna Sellie, Editorial Layout                                                                                          no later than Wednesday, 4:30 p.m., one week prior                  All material is edited for accuracy, brevity, clarity
                                                                The appearance of advertising in this publication,      to desired publication date. Briefs are due no later           and conformity to the Associated Style Guide, to include
CONTACT: Advertising Sales (702) 876-4589                  including inserts and supplements, does not constitute       than Wednesday, 3 p.m. one week prior to desired               military ranks and proper writing etiquette.
                                                           an endorsement by the Department of Defense, the             publication date. Articles must also be submitted no
For display ads: e-mail barryanderson@aerotechnews.com     Department of the Air Force or Aerotech News and Review      later than Wednesday, 4:30 p.m., one week prior to                  Corrections: The Bullseye staff members strive for
                      or e-mail KarlDean@aerotechnews.com  of the products or services advertised.                      desired publication date unless the editor provides            accuracy each week. If you notice an error in fact, contact
                                                                                                                        an exception to a late-breaking story or article, and          the Bullseye staff at (702) 876-4039, or e-mail bullseye@
For classified ads: e-mail classifieds@aerotechnews.com         Everything advertised in the publication shall be made                                                                 aerotechnews.com, and we will consider publishing a
                                                                                                                                                                                       correction when appropriate.
CONTACT: Editorial Staff (702) 876-4039
                                                                The Bullseye newspaper can also be viewed online @ www.aerotechnews.com
For editorial staff: e-mail bullseye@aerotechnews.com
                                                                                                    Printed by Aerotech News and Review, Inc. (877) 247-9288 * www.aerotechnews.com
   1   2   3   4   5   6   7