20) Surround yourself with people — when you need to be around people. Let yourself be alone when you just need alone time.
21) Stop viewing it as something to survive and rather something to embrace.
22) Stay busy, by volunteering in particular. Being part of something positive and helping others helps keep your mind off your own problems. The “good feeling” from helping others is THE BEST MEDICINE and is what has always gotten me through tough times.
23) Wine… in moderation, of course!
24) Skype dates! It’s the only thing keeping me sane during this deployment!
25) Surround yourself with positive and genuine people.
26) Get a weekly sitter. Two hours of alone time during the day to get out of the house is necessary to un-cloud your brain and rest in a pedicure chair or a coffee shop. Take care of yourself.
27) Do not be afraid to ask for help.
28) Keep your life simple; it’s not the time to complicate it. If you add activities or a job or school, make sure it’s not something that will stress you out EVEN more.
29) Prepare mentally! Believe that you are strong and can carry the load!!
30) Take things one day at a time.
31) Foster your friendships.
32) Do not isolate yourself from friends and family. Unless they are being negative.
33) Take pictures everyday so when they come home you can share with them how you spent your days.
34) Make sure you have friends/connections prior to deployment so you don’t get too lonely.
35) It helps to stay close to other military spouses, because they can be the only ones who know what you’ve been through so having them to talk to helps.
36) Sleep with a body pillow while your spouse is gone, or sleep in the middle of the bed instead of just on your own side.
37) Prepare for the worst – hope for the best!
38) Remember that it’s only temporary, remember that you’re human and crying isn’t a form of weakness… but instead it is your body’s way of making more room for strength and showing how strong you are.
39) Do not drown your deployed spouse with so much complaining or venting about issues that arise, but don’t keep them in the dark either.
