Taking care of you

BY FAMILY & MWR FAMILY ADVOCACY PROGRAM (FAP)

When you think of Army Community Service (ACS) Family Advocacy Program (FAP), do you think of stress management or self-care?

If you are like most people, probably not. FAP is more than Victim Advocacy and New Parent Support, it’s there for your mental and emotional wellbeing. There are classes intended to help you be the best version of yourself. It does not matter if you are single or married FAP has a class for you.

If you are single and tired of relationships that seem to go nowhere, perhaps, you are going about the dating game the wrong way. P.R.E.P (How not to fall for a Jerk or Jerkette) class gives you the tools to maneuver the dating game and give you the skills to take you out of the game all together, if that is your goal.

Are you in a committed relationship already? Couples Communication classes can help build on the foundation that you already have, by giving you tools for effective communication. Learn how to speak to your partners love language, and be able to have a Scream Free Marriage. It does not matter if you are single or married, have children or just dealing with people at work, how you handle those relationships can cause your stress levels to go up and communication is just a part of it.

Stress management is more than learning how to communicate with others, it’s also about learning how to take care of yourself and learning when your body is giving cues that your stress levels are too high. Managing your stress is also taking care of yourself … self-care. There are numerous things you can do to help manage your stress. Meditation usually comes to mind when talking about stress.

There are many different forms of meditation, such as, mindfulness meditation — being aware of sounds around you, the texture of materials you are encountering, the smells you notice. Guided meditation involves listening to someone guide you through the process, many of these can be found on YouTube. Visual meditation where you imagine you are in your “happy place” really letting your mind go there, and prayer — spending time with your higher being.

All those things can help bring your stress levels down. If meditation is not your thing, try some deep breathing exercises, a simple one to try is to breathe in through your nose counting to four and breathe out from your mouth — lips slightly parted — counting to 4. This simple breathing technique can help to re-center you quickly, so it is ideal when you are going into a stressful situation. Using Aromatherapy can also be a way to calm yourself. Lavender is always a good approach if you are just starting out with aromatherapy.

One thing to keep in mind before you venture into the world of aromatherapy, research the oils you want to use, some oils are not suitable for pregnant women, children or pets. Not only are the techniques mentioned good for stress, but they can also help with anger management as well. If you want to learn more techniques for effective communication, parenting, stress or anger management, give ACS FAP a try. Remember, we are here for your physical and emotional wellbeing.

For more information about class schedules, call 915-568-9129. You can also check out the FAP Facebook page for more hints and videos on how to be the best you possible.