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apply gentle pressure to the forehead. Breathe in
through the nose, out through the mouth. Alternate
nostrils.
SUPPORT NETWORK
A good support network can reduce stress as well
as help prevent it. Feeling that we have someone to
turn to increases our confidence and well-being so that
we are better prepared to meet those daily stressors.
To determine if you have a good support network ask
yourself what person you have in your life who will
provide the following functions:
l Listening
l Providing
l Providing
l Playing
personal guidance
technical guidance
AUTOGENIC RELAXATION
Autogenic relaxation can be as simple as telling
yourself you are relaxed. There are a number of
commercially prepared tapes that use autogenic
relaxation techniques. This is a form of self-hypnosis
that we can use to talk ourselves down to a more
serene consciousness.
PROGRESSIVE RELAXATION
A number of commercially produced audio and
video tapes are available to lead you through
progressive relaxation.
The concept is based on
becoming aware of each set of muscles individually,
then progressively relaxing the muscles until the entire
body is completely relaxed. This helps rid the body
of unwanted tensions and allows for a more
rejuvenating rest. Many tapes use the sensations of
warmth and heaviness to promote deep relaxation.
PERSONAL COPING STRATEGIES
In developing personal strategies for coping with
stress, we must realize that a certain amount of stress
is absorbed, You can be better prepared to absorb
stress by taking care of yourself. Some stress must be
adapted to. It may require a change in the way you
lead your life or think about situations. Most stress
can be managed.
Our skills in time management,
handling conflict, communication, influencing,
negotiation, and assertiveness can all help in stress
management. Most importantly, choose the coping
strategies that work for you. Give each a try. If it
works, great, you have a personal coping strategy. If
it doesn’t, maybe it will be a method that you can
pass on to someone else.
COMBINED DEFINITION OF STRESS
“Stress is a physiological and/or psychological
response to our perception and appraisal of a demand
placed on us.”
This definition takes into account both the mental
and physical aspects of stress.
Demands will be
placed upon us. We are in a demanding profession.
This definition helps us to understand that stress is our
response to our perception and appraised of those
demands. We have a lot of control over our stress.
COUNSELING AND REFERRAL
SOURCES
You should be familiar with counseling techniques
from previous experience and Navy leadership
courses.
Military Requirements for Chief Petty
Officer, NAVEDTRA 12047, also offers a section on
counseling personnel.
Regardless of the type of
counseling you are conducting, it is important to keep
in mind that your objective is to give your personnel
support in dealing with problems so that they can be
productive members of the organization. An
important aspect of counseling is being able to
recognize when it’s time to refer your recruiters to
someone else. Due to the relative isolation from other
Navy facilities, it is not always easy to make those
referrals. You cannot advise beyond your area of
expertise.
Some situations demand professionals.
When you find yourself faced with personnel
problems that are beyond your ability to solve, notify
the next person in your chain of command. If the
problem requires assistance from outside the
command, smooth the way and have the information
available. The following support resources may be
useful.
FAMILY SERVICE CENTERS
Family service centers’ core skills for living
program offers stress management, suicide prevention,
financial education, personal enrichment, and family
enrichment services.
They also provide relocation
assistance, deployment support, and special needs
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