Deployments are an inevitable part of many service members' lives. An upcoming deployment can feel overwhelming and stressful for you and your family. This stress can occur before, during, and after deployment.

The good news is that having a solid game plan can help. While it’s normal to feel stressed or anxious with a looming deployment, there are ways to manage these feelings so you can focus on what matters most.

How Deployment Stress Can Impact Your Life

Stress before, during, and after a deployment can significantly impact your life in more ways than you might realize. Even if you’ve been deployed before, you can experience different symptoms and behavioral changes that affect your professional and personal life. During the months or weeks leading up to a deployment, service members or their families may experience:

●Recurring fears or anxieties about the future

●Short tempers or irritability

●Challenges making decisions or concentrating

●Feeling negative emotions, such as frustration, loneliness, sadness, or worry

●Experiencing exhaustion, headaches, insomnia, and other physical symptoms

●Social isolation and apathy

These symptoms can bleed into a person’s work, home, and social life. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, talking to someone or seeking assistance from your leadership can help.

Tips to Manage Deployment Stress

Stress can wreak havoc on your life when left unchecked. Taking the necessary steps to prepare for your deployment and managing your stress levels during each stage can help you and your family feel more confident and at ease. Use these tips below to help you manage your deployment stress:

1. Pre-Deployment

Deployment is a part of a service member’s contract, and the thought can cause many military personnel and their families stress. Preparing for a deployment in advance can ease much of the anxiety a looming deployment may cause.

One of the most important things to prepare before you deploy is your paperwork. These documents will make it easier for your family to manage things while you’re overseas. Some of the documents and information you’ll need to get together include:

●Financial information

●Insurance policies

●Your will

●Copies of critical documents, including social security cards, marriage licenses, birth certificates, and passports

You can talk to JAG or seek legal assistance for a comprehensive list of all the paperwork you’ll need

Before you deploy, you should also talk with your family about what to expect. For instance, tell them how often they’ll hear from you overseas and explain that communication may be inconsistent based on various factors. Letting your loved ones know as much as you can about what they can expect from your deployment can ease some of their concerns.

2. Leading Up to Deployment

Maybe you’re weeks or days away from the date you’re shipping off. One of the most important tasks to complete when you’re deploying is to pack.

When service members pack for their deployment, they may adopt one of two extreme mindsets: pack everything or the bare minimum. We don’t recommend using either of these methods and instead endorse finding a happy medium.

You can start by creating a list and prioritizing your items. Consider what items you have and which you’ll need to purchase since you’ll need to plan to purchase these items before you leave. Remember to bring items that make you happy. Bad days happen on deployments, and having an item with you that brings you joy can make all the difference.

Taking care of your packing list as soon as possible can help alleviate stress, and you’ll have more time to spend with family and friends before you deploy. You should also take the time to double-check your other preparations, such as insurance, childcare, document copies, and other necessities.

3. During Deployment

When you’re deployed, you’ll have good days and bad days. The bad days can seem overwhelming and can quickly cause stress and anxiety if you don’t know how to manage how you feel. Stress can also build up over time and cause many different symptoms, including sleepless nights, difficulty concentrating, anxiety attacks, and more.

Learning how to manage your stress can help reduce discomfort while you’re overseas. Use these tips while you’re deployed to help you manage your anxiety and stress levels:

●When possible, maintain a routine with your exercise, sleep, and meals.

●Take breaks after stressful situations.

●Stay healthy by eating nutritious meals, drinking water, and sleeping enough.

●Find things that make you laugh.

●Talk to others in your unit and form a support network.

●Ask someone at home to take care of stressful situations on the homefront.

●Stick to your plan to keep in touch with loved ones.

●Seek assistance from combat stress control teams or your chaplain.

Some of these types can also be used by spouses or family members experiencing stress while their loved one is overseas.

4. Post-Deployment

Many service members are nervous or stressed about returning home after deployment. You’ve established a routine overseas that will change once you get home. It’s also likely that things have changed, and you’ll need to adjust to these differences. Many service members struggle with their mental health when they return, especially if they’ve been exposed to combat situations.

Preparing for your return and learning how to deal with post-deployment stress can help alleviate symptoms and make readjustment easier. Some tips you can use to readjust to your home life include:

●Talking about your experiences, whether it’s with a veteran, friend, family member, or counselor.

●Journaling about your experiences, thoughts, or feelings.

●Being patient and kind with yourself as you relearn and adjust to new routines.

●Making time for activities you enjoy.

●Maintaining your health, which includes keeping a consistent sleep schedule, exercising, and eating healthy.

●Avoiding major life changes until you’ve readjusted.

●Avoiding alcohol or drugs as a means to cope.

●Taking your readjustment at your own pace.

Reentering life back at home can be a major upheaval in many service members' lives. The readjustment process likely won’t be immediate, so it’s crucial to practice kindness and patience with yourself. Talk with your family openly about how you’re feeling and how you’re adjusting so they can offer their support and love.

Support Your Deployment With Gear From Military Luggage Company

While there’s nothing that can eliminate deployment stress entirely, with proper planning and plenty of preparation, you can reduce your anxiety regarding your next deployment.

Take some of the stress out of your next deployment with the right bag from Military Luggage Company. We stock a comprehensive selection of bags you need for deployment, including duffle bags, tactical backpacks, assault packs, hydration packs, and so much more. You can browse our complete collection to find exactly what you need, or contact us with any questions!