Slide 1
A Soldier who is emotionally fit, approaches life's challenges
in a positive, optimistic way by demonstrating control, stamina and
good character with their choices and actions
A Soldier should demonstrate standards, discipline and
INTEGRITY
Soldiers who are emotionally fit are aware of their feelings and
emotions and seek balance
Emotional (Optimism) - FebruaryWhat is Emotional Fitness?Leader:
Discuss these expectations with your Soldiers
1People have hopes, fears, concerns and dreams; a Soldiers
self-regulation, balance, and stability greatly influence their
ability to interact with others.
Self-Regulation regulate impulses, emotions and behaviors to
achieve goals
Balance knowing how to balance the stressors of life and convey
emotions appropriately
Stability calm and rational under pressureEmotional (Optimism) -
FebruaryComponents of Emotional FitnessLeader: Discuss these
expectations with your Soldiers
An unbalanced Soldier exhibits inappropriate anger or
frustration, avoids close relationships, shuts out Family and
friends and often finds escapes through unhealthy habits. An
emotionally unhealthy Soldier:
has difficulty maintaining unit and Soldier responsibilities
abuses drugs or alcohol to numb feelings or to feel normal avoids
Family, friends and unit activities and is isolated has angry or
other emotional outbursts engages in unhealthy habits that can be
self-destructive is continually depressed has difficulty with
intimacy
Emotional (Optimism) - FebruaryUnhealthy Emotional Fitness
BehaviorsLeader: Review unhealthy behaviors with your Soldiers
SPC Williams was recently selected to represent his company at
the Best Warrior Competition. He is getting ready for the
competition when his spouse approaches him about unfinished house
work. The conversation gets heated and he realizes he is now
running late. SPC Williams grabs his car keys, slams the door as he
leaves and the glass on the door shatters. He gets in his car and
begins driving aggressively to drill to make up time. He continues
to think about the argument he had with his wife and cannot
concentrate. He is the next Soldier to go into the board.
Emotional (Optimism) - FebruaryUnhealthy Emotional Fitness
ScenarioLeader: Read the following scenario
Bottom Line Up Front: Soldiers may experience many stressors but
ultimately still have a job to do. Negative emotions can make you
lose focus and detract from your performance. Real Time Resilience
is a skill that can be used to help fight counterproductive
thoughts and remain task focused.
Real Time Resilience is an internal skill that is used in the
moment. It is the process of responding to counterproductive
thoughts as they occur by using evidence, optimism and putting the
situation in perspective.
Use these three sentence starters when reacting to
counterproductive thoughts:
1. Thats not completely true because2. The more optimistic way
of seeing this is3. The most likely implication isand I
canEmotional (Optimism) - FebruaryScenario The ProblemLeader:
Discuss some things that SPC Williams can do to get his mind back
into the competition. What are some things that work for the group?
Discuss Real Time Resilience techniques.
Below are some counterproductive thoughts SPC Williams might
have and responses he could use to fight off these thoughts.
Thought: Im going to come in last in this competition.RTR
Response: Thats not completely true because I trained hard and I am
prepared.
Thought: My wife is going to leave me.RTR Response: The most
likely implication is that we will work it out and I can call her
after the competition.
Thought: Im going to have to fix the door now.RTR Response: The
more optimistic way of seeing this is that I wanted to replace the
door anyway.
Page 6Emotional (Optimism) - FebruaryScenario Real Time
Resilience
Emotional (Optimism) - FebruaryOptimismThe skill of Real Time
Resilience builds upon the competency of Optimism. Optimistic
thinkers focus on solutions when change is possible and acceptance
when it is not. They are more likely to try new strategies when
current ones arent working.
When confronted with stress, we often lose the ability to focus
on the task at hand. By having an optimistic approach, we can see
the situation more accurately which gives us more control over the
outcome.
Being in control is important in both the Army and your personal
life.
Hunt the good stuff: Positive people think positively. Focusing
on positive experiences leads to an optimistic way of thinking.
Encourage your Soldiers to share a positive experience that they
have had since last drill. (Open discussion)
What can you do as a Battle Buddy to help SPC Williams?Talk to
SPC Williams about his issues at home to give him an outlet to
vent.What can you do as a leader to help SPC Williams?Give him
information about resources that may help his relationship with his
spouse (ie. Strong bonds)Refer to chaplain or behavioral health if
needed.Remember ACE * (any stressful situation can lead to suicidal
behavior)Ask what you can do to assist the Soldier in
succeeding.Care enough to listen and provide support.Escort the
Soldier to resources or be one yourself as a positive
influence.
DO YOU HAVE AN ACE CARD?*The ACE process guides us to assist the
Soldier. Have the courage to act on behalf of a fellow Soldier.
Never assume that everything is good to go until you have
checked.Emotional (Optimism) - FebruaryScenario Battle Buddy
AidLeader: Ask about responsibility of Battle Buddies and how they
can assist in the situation and review ACE
A Soldier who exhibits healthy emotions has a sense of balance,
stability and self-control which leads to happiness and
contentment. An emotionally healthy Soldier:
has healthy outlets for stress copes with stressful social
situations has a good support network physically well feels good
about his or herself seeks balance is confident and respects others
gravitates toward the positive side of life proud to be a Soldier
in the GuardEmotional (Optimism) - FebruaryHealthy Emotional
Fitness BehaviorsLeader: Ask your Soldiers to think of good
emotional fitness habits
Emotional (Optimism) - FebruaryAvailable ResourcesLeader:
Reviews available resources and remind Soldiers that seeking them
is not a sign of weakness but part of fitnessNYARNG Family Programs
Office, (877)715-7817 or www.dmna.state.ny.us/familyDirector of
Psychological Health (DPH), (518)396-8993Military Family Life
Consultant (MFLC), (518)925-4302Military OneSource,
(518)265-2901Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC),
(518)786-4734State Chaplains Office, (518)461-2527Military
OneSource, (800)342-9647 or www.militaryonesource.com Vets4Warriors
peer support line, (855)838-8255 / (855)VET-TALK,
http://www.vets4warriors.com/