By: Leanne K. Knobloch, PhD Homecoming after deployment can be a day of excitement, relief, and joy for Service Members and their loved ones reunited after their time apart. But what happens next? After the “Welcome home” banner comes down, the confetti is swept up, and the gear is stowed away, how do military family members build a “new normal” after all the changes that happened during deployment? My team and I conducted a study of Service Members and their spouses about 3 months after the Service Members had returned from deployment. We asked them to answer the question, “What advice w ..read more

Time and again throughout my career, I’ve been told to make sure I prioritize my work-life balance. The odd thing is, over a 21-year military career, no one shared how to do that or gave us the option. At least, that was my experience. If I’m starting a week with a perfectly balanced life (eight hours at work, eight hours at home, and a full eight hours of sleep at night), but more is suddenly required at work, what do I do? Do I tell my commander, “Sorry, but I can’t. I have to maintain a work-life balance?” That clearly isn’t an option. If I now have to work 10-hour days, do I spend 10 h ..read more

By: Jeffrey B. Jackson, PhD, LMFT Service Members and their spouses face challenges their civilian counterparts often do not, such as moving frequently and spending long periods of time apart. These challenges can be worse when gender roles are reversed and Servicewomen are married to civilian men. Civilian husbands of Servicewomen often need to navigate a variety of unique challenges because of this gender role reversal and related pressures. For example, take the experience of a U.S. Coast Guard Servicewoman's civilian husband in his thirties. When they were first married, he had trouble ..read more

By: Maria McConville, MS, RDN* I had the privilege of interviewing a new teammate of the Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) family, Brandon Lee. Brandon is a civilian H2F Registered Dietitian (RD) in 2BCT, Fort Drum, NY, with a fascinating professional background. In addition to being a dietitian, he also has a unique interest in the field of growth mindset. Maria: How did you become interested in nutrition and its intersection with a growth mindset? Brandon: I was interested in biology, health science, and wellness from a young age. Before discovering my passion for nutrition, I was an ..read more

By: Dakota Gillmore, PhD If the warmer weather has you itching to get out of the house, consider that some activities you might choose to get involved in are more helpful and healthful than others. Volunteering, for example, is a free and rewarding way to extend a helping hand to those who need support. Fortunately, many of these activities are good for you! They provide opportunities to be physically active, have fun, and interact with friends, family, and others in your community.   Why volunteer? Volunteering provides vital help to people in need, worthwhile causes, and your commun ..read more

Whether it’s lifting ammo cans or loading a truck, a strong core can help you move safely and efficiently. Your core is more than just your abs: It includes lots of other muscles that stabilize your shoulders, hips, and pelvis. Your core muscles are vital when it comes to safely and properly doing functional movements too. When you’re trying to build a stronger core, variations of planks, sit-ups, and crunches are typically thought of as the go-to moves. Still, it can be hard to strengthen all your core muscles with traditional “ab routines” you do on the ground. And these movements can ..read more

By: Maria McConville, MS, RDN The beginning of each new year brings a resurgence of new diets and weight loss plans. These diets come in every shape and size. Some of the old—and new—diet plans focus on reducing calories by reducing carbs. But these diets don’t always distinguish between the carbs that give us energy and provide valuable nutrients (think fruit, vegetables, whole grains, dairy products) and the carbs that provide some energy (calories) but little to no nutrition (think candy, soda, and chips). If you’re looking for a way to try some nutritious options for carbs that give yo ..read more

By: LTC Bethany Deschamps, PhD, RD, LD, CSCS Proper nutrition is essential for wellness and maintaining a healthy body weight—both shown to have an important impact on the overall readiness of Service Members and the “strength of our Force.” Your diet consists of all the food and beverage choices you make throughout your day. These choices provide your body with energy and nutrients for function and performance. As a registered dietitian, I know that consistently making healthy food choices—that maximize nutrient intake without overconsuming calories—ensures optimal daily performance. Encou ..read more

By: Maria McConville, MS, RDN* It’s that time of the year again, when summer’s bounty of strawberries and blueberries is long gone, and even those fruits and vegetables boasting fall’s warm hues are a near-distant memory. Now, winter’s most vibrant fruit takes center stage: Enter the cranberry. Cranberries, which are mostly water, carbohydrates, and fiber, pack a powerful nutritional punch. They contain vitamins C, E, and K, and the minerals copper and manganese. These nutrients are especially important during the winter months when your immune system can be challenged. In addition to the ..read more

By Alaina Hansom, PhD During the holiday season, it can be tempting to spend lavishly on gifts. Many people fall victim to the thinking trap that an item is better because it’s more expensive. I know I’ve certainly had my fair share of wanting the name-brand item when the generic item works just as well for a fraction of the cost. One reason why it can be tempting to spend so much financially is because gifts can be emotional. Gift giving shows someone you care about them. It says “I’m thinking of you” in physical form. But there are other (often cheaper) ways to communicate care—they’r ..read more