Self-Help Resources

Stress information and tools are organized here, with links to additional resources. Individuals who are experiencing stress may also be struggling with depression, PTSD, substance abuse, or any number of other physical and/or mental health conditions. You may find the self-help information posted under other behavioral health categories on this web site to be helpful.

Stress Coping Styles

Coping strategies are specific efforts that individual's make to deal with a stressful event. Some people cope by taking action to reduce a stressor. For example, people change deadlines when they feel overwhelmed by demands, take an alternate route when stuck in traffic, or make payment arrangements when faced with financial problems. Some people cope by dealing with feelings related to stressors. For example, people may talk to others about their feelings, try to relax, or change the way they choose to think about their situation in order to decrease unpleasant emotions. Both problem-focused and emotion-focused strategies are effective strategies for coping with many stressful events. ¹⁶ Some individuals are more comfortable using one strategy over the other. Problem-focused strategies are helpful in situations where you have control and can solve the problem by taking action. Emotion-focused strategies may be more useful in situations out of the individual's control or less solution-oriented.

His and Hers Stress Advice

Fact Sheets and Handouts

Stress Management
U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, the Army National Guard, and the Office of the Chief, Army Reserve
Stress awareness, basics, along with exercise and eating strategies to help service members with stress management.

Department of Defense Stress Awareness Support
DeploymentLink Deployment Health Support
The environment of today's military exposes service members to many unforeseen demands. The need to perform under these difficult situations can cause stress reactions. Although stress can have the beneficial effect of sharpening the senses, impelling acts of heroism, and drawing a unit's members closer together, when a service member's ability to deal with stress is exceeded, the consequences may be operationally significant. Find resources about combat, job, financial, and family stress, including stress experienced by teens and children.

Stress Management: Top 10 Tension-Reducing Activities
About.com, a New York Times Company
Learn techniques for reducing stress and tension and locate links to related resources.

Overcoming Relocation Stress
Military Spouse Career Center
Moving can bring exciting opportunities to enjoy a new job, home, and friends. It can also bring stress. Learning to deal with relocation stress is an important part of a successful move. Learn how to gain a sense of control, the importance of self care, outlets for tension, relaxation exercises, and ways to help children handle stress.

How to Respond to a High-Stress Environment
The Unwind Company
Learn how to respond to a high-stress environment.

Stress Management for Parents

Stress and Combat Handouts

Stress and Relationship to Combat
U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine
Some general information about different stressors and the relationship to combat performance.

USACHPPM Technical Guide 240: Combat Stress Behaviors
Pocket cards with tips for coping with stress in a combat zone. Although designed for Army service members, information is relevant for other branches of service.

USACHPPM Technical Guide 241: Combat Operational Stress Reaction or Battle Fatigue
Pocket cards designed to help service members identify the signs of combat operational stress reactions. Although designed for Army service members, information is relevant for other branches of service.

Combat Stress
Marine and Family Services
Illustrates common reactions following combat. Although produced for members of the Marine Corps, the information is relevant for other branches of service.

Videos

Coping With Stress
Department of Defense
A short video produced for family members coping with stress, including deployment-related stress. Although produced for Army service members, content is appropriate for all branches of the military.

Books & Workbooks

Targeting Health: Stress Management
U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine (USACHPPM)
This is a comprehensive online stress management workbook designed for military service members. It can be downloaded free of charge.

Mastering Stress 2001: A Lifestyle Approach
David H. Barlow
This evidence-based program provides safe, and effective information and covers many important stress management principles and techniques, including time management, problem solving, assertiveness, and relaxation.

The Don't Sweat the Small Stuff Workbook: Exercises, Questions, and Self-tests to Help You Keep the Little Things from Taking Over Your Life
R. Carlson
This workbook is aimed at anyone interested in reducing stress and improving their relationships. Designed to help individuals put the peace-promoting, "just let it go" principles of Don't Sweat the Small Stuff into active practice, it contains quizzes, checklists, self-tests, questions, and activities.

Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness.
Jon Kabat-Zinn
A practical guide to mindfulness, meditation and healing.

Bibliotherapy Resource Guide
Department of Veterans Affairs

Web Resources

Military OneSource

Mind Tools
Offers stress management resources, and addresses related issues, such as communication, time management, and problem solving.

WebMD
Provides resources related to stress, physical health, and emotional well-being.

Hooah4health
View a variety of stress management resources for military service members and families.

Veteran and Military Family Health
U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institute of Health

Live Your Life Well
A website designed to help you cope better with stress and create more of the life you want.

Real Warriors Campaign
Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury

Other Helpful Resources

Exercise: A Prescription for Feeling Good

Pleasant Events: A Daily Practice

Understand the Importance of Relaxation

Clear Thinking is Good for Your Health