Stress is a part of life for most people. Each one of us is impacted differently by circumstances and stress can be triggered by financial pressures, family matters, job, or not being able to fit into those jeans.

For Army Moms, stress takes on a whole new meaning. When our children are deployed to a war zone, the stress can be overwhelming. When my son was deployed, it was one of the most stressful times of my life.

Can you relate to this? One important action to take to battle stress is to exercise. Managing your stress is essential as there is a lot of evidence pointing to the harmful effect stress has on health. Consequences of too much stress can include weakened immune system, raised blood pressure, higher cholesterol, and heart issues.

Here are 3 benefits you will enjoy when you begin exercising regularly:

• An endorphin high.
• Better sleep.
• Relaxation of muscle tenseness.

The endorphin release promotes emotional wellness. The benefits of exercise include enhanced blood flow to your brain, weight loss, and feeling better.

Will your worry and concern for your deployed soldier go away? No, but exercise will help you to relax and sleep better.

As well, during your exercise your mind will shut off the immediate problems and focus on the workout instead. This reduces anxiety and allows you to relax mentally.

You can begin an exercise regimen in a number of ways. Whatever method you go with, it is essential that you add fitness to your daily lifestyle such that it becomes a habit.

The following is a list of methods to build exercise into your life:

• Talk a walk. It’s free and the time you take to walk will reap many benefits!
• Give yoga a try. When you exercise your muscles, you can alleviate muscle tension that results from stress.
• Begin an exercise program right inside your own home. You can exercise anytime of the day inside your own house with home fitness programs that you can do at any fitness level.
• Take a long hike with a friend or two.
• Invite a friend to go dancing with you. While having such a great time you may forget that you are getting exercise.

When you begin putting exercise into your everyday activities, you may  look forward to it because you will feel terrific and little less stressed!

Now available! Army Mom Strong t-shirts and other gear! We are also pleased to announce that 50% of all proceeds go to Fisher House Foundation.

Fisher House™ Foundation donates “comfort homes,” built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful times – during the hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease, or injury.

Show that you are a proud and Army Mom Strong and get your t-shirt today! The tag line is: Army Mom Strong, we’re all in this together.

You can also purchase Army Mom Strong mugs, magnets, and stickers!

We are also pleased to announce “Army Kid Strong” apparel. Again, 50% of the proceeds from ALL sales to Fisher House!

Army Kid Strong apparel is perfect for kids with a deployed parent.You can purchase t-shirts, onesies, sweatshirts, and bibs! The tag line is Army Kid Strong, my daddy’s got your back (my mommy’s got your back).

We’ll be adding lots of new stuff over the coming weeks!

Click here to visit the official Army Mom Strong store! Remember, 50% of ALL proceeds goes directly to Fisher House!

Thank you!

My son has not even left yet and already I am preoccupied with his deployment next month! I am now Army Mom because I cannot seem to be anything else effectively. Tears come easily when I think about my son flying an Army helicopter in a dangerous place. I can’t help it!

I chatted with several other, more experienced Army Moms, asking for advice on what to do! How to handle this deployment stuff. They all told me the same exact thing: STAY BUSY!

So I am! I am so busy now that I have no time to do anything extra. This is a good thing. My advice to you during your child’s deployment is STAY BUSY! What can you do? Here are some ideas to stay busy and take your mind off the most important thing in your life.

• Read more books. Start hanging out at the library or bookstore.
• Start an at-home business (I did and love it!)
• Start exercising. If you already exercise, change things up. Take a new exercise class you never tried before or do an at-home fitness program. When you exercise, “feel-good” endorphins are released by your brain (which makes a person feel good). I exercise everyday.
• Join a hiking group. This is a great way to get exercise and be with positive minded people.
• Be a volunteer. There are many volunteer opportunities everywhere. I volunteer at an animal shelter and it’s the best day of the week for me. Those adorable dogs don’t know it, but they help me much more than I help them!
• Bike to work.
• Go to the farmer’s market.
• Grow a garden.
• Go for a scenic drive and take in the beauty.
• Learn how to eat better – get a book on nutrition or take a nutrition class. When you are under stress, you need to be as healthy as possible. If you eat poorly while under stress, things will just get worse.
• Participate in a race/walk. Then you have something to plan for and look forward to.
• Connect with other Army Moms.
• Start a support group.
• Go shopping (don’t spend too much!)
• Contact a old friend.
• Find a new job.
• Change careers.
• Take a trip.
• Send care packages to your soldier (send enough to share with everyone)
• Keep a daily journal.
• Start a blog.
• Make a scrapbook of favorite pictures of your soldier.’

There are many other ways to stay busy! Leave a comment about how you stay busy during your child’s deployment )