Slide 1

A Soldier who is emotionally fit approaches life's challenges in a positive, optimistic way by demonstrating self-regulation, 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 (Self Regulation) - AugustWhat 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 (Self Regulation) - AugustComponents 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 (Self Regulation) - AugustUnhealthy Emotional Fitness BehaviorsLeader: Review unhealthy behaviors with your Soldiers

SPC Wesson is at Camp Smith doing weapons qualification. This is the last day that his unit is on the range and he has yet to qualify. He has never had issues qualifying in the past, and he normally qualifies sharpshooter. His squad leader has done PMI with him multiple times but he has been making different errors in each iteration. While he understands the fundamentals, he is noticeably anxious and is having problems concentrating. He approaches his squad leader and says that he doesnt want to go again because he is just going to fail.

Emotional (Self Regulation) - AugustUnhealthy 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. Mental Games is a skill that can be used to help you stay task focused.

Mental Games are used to compartmentalize or distract you from counter productive thinking by engaging your attention in fun and challenging games or techniques. It is a quick solution when your thoughts are circling at a time when you need to perform. Emotional (Self Regulation) - AugustScenario The ProblemLeader: Ask your Soldiers what they perceive the problem to be and how they would help (discuss for 2 minutes)

Mental Games require your full attention, must be hard and fun and should be games or techniques you can do within a few minutes. Below are some examples:

Math games (ex. Count back from 1000 by 7s)Alphabet games (ex. Work your way through the alphabet naming someone for each pair of initials. AB = Alec Baldwin BC= Billy Crystal)Category Names (ex. Name all the sports figures, war heroes etc that you can in 2 minutes.)Repeat the army alphabet backwardsRecite upbeat song lyricsPositive imagery and breathing techniques

Page 6Emotional (Self Regulation) - AugustScenario Mental GamesLeader: Discuss some things that SPC Wesson can do to get his mind back into the qualification. What are some things that work for SPC Wesson?

Emotional (Self Regulation) - AugustSelf RegulationThe skill of Mental Games builds upon the competency of self regulation by diverting counter productive thoughts so that you can perform at a peak mental level.

When confronted with stress, we often lose the ability to remain objective. Regulating your impulses, emotions and behaviors allows you slow down and stay in control.

Being in control is important in both the Army and your personal life.

Leader: Discuss with the group what other resilience skills might help SPC Wesson, or what other strategies could help him succeed. 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 Wesson?Talk to him to calm him down and help him do mental games to get his mind off of negative outcomes.What can you do as a leader to help SPC Wesson?Speak with SPC Wesson to find out if there are underlying issues that are distracting him.Distract him with another task so he has time to refocus.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 (Self Regulation) - AugustScenario 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 stresscopes with stressful social situationshas a good support networkis physically well feels good about his or herselfseeks balanceis confident and has RESPECT for othersgravitates toward the positive side of lifeis proud to be a Soldier in the GuardEmotional (Self Regulation) - AugustHealthy Emotional Fitness BehaviorsLeader: Ask your Soldiers to think of good emotional fitness habits

Emotional (Self Regulation) - AugustAvailable 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 (NYARNG Representative), (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/