Managing Your Holiday Anxiety: A Veteran’s Guide to Staying Grounded and Resilient
- Carl Forkner
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
Image via Pexels
By Arthur Lloyd
The holidays can stir mixed emotions for veterans — joy, nostalgia, or even unease. The blend of crowded gatherings, shifting routines, and vivid memories can easily heighten stress. Yet with the right strategies, this season can become a time of connection and calm rather than tension.
Major Takeaways
Veterans can navigate holiday anxiety by grounding in structure, focusing on trusted routines, seeking connection with others who “get it,” and using both physical and mindful tools to manage stress. A few small, consistent practices often beat big resolutions.
Step-by-Step: The Grounding Checklist
(A practical how-to you can use immediately)
Reinforce Routine: Wake, eat, and rest at familiar times. Predictability stabilizes the nervous system.
Set “Safe Zones”: Choose one quiet room or outdoor spot for decompression when gatherings get intense.
Prepare an Exit Strategy: Drive yourself or arrange a signal with a friend in case overstimulation hits.
Regulate Breath: Use the 4-4-6 method — inhale 4 sec, hold 4, exhale 6. Repeat 3–5 times.
Stay Hydrated, Watch Caffeine: Both anxiety and dehydration spike with excessive coffee or alcohol.
Limit News Exposure: Especially during high-stress political or world events, keep your intake timed, not constant.
Anchor to a Mission: Volunteering (e.g., Team Rubicon) or mentoring younger vets restores purpose.
Calming Through Natural Support
When traditional coping methods need a complement, some veterans find relief through gentle, plant-based approaches:
● Chamomile tea — known for supporting relaxation before rest.
● Ashwagandha — an adaptogenic herb that can help modulate stress and cortisol levels.
● THCa isolate — derived from hemp, studied for its calming and anti-inflammatory potential; you can understand THCa isolate properties to determine if it aligns with your wellness plan.
(Always consult your healthcare provider before integrating supplements or alternative modalities.)
Holiday Stress Scenarios vs. Grounding Responses
Stress Trigger | Typical Reaction | Grounding Response | Bonus Resource |
Large gatherings | Hypervigilance | Step outside, slow-breath drill | |
Loud celebrations | Flashbacks or discomfort | Noise-canceling headphones | |
Financial pressure | Avoidance, guilt | Budget talk with trusted friend | |
Loneliness | Withdrawal | Join online vet hangouts |
FAQ: Veterans & Holiday Anxiety
Q1: Why do holidays trigger anxiety after service?
A: Transitions, sensory overload, and reminders of absent comrades can stir hyperarousal or grief patterns common in post-service adjustment.
Q2: Is it normal to feel disconnected during celebrations?
A: Absolutely. Many veterans describe a mismatch between civilian festivities and their own emotional pace. Grounding and peer contact can bridge that gap.
Q3: What if anxiety escalates suddenly?
A: Step into fresh air, focus on one sensory detail (texture, temperature, or sound), and contact support — such as the 988 Veterans Crisis Line (press 1).
Q4: Can exercise help?
A: Yes — moderate cardio or strength training releases tension and steadies mood. A short 15-minute walk can interrupt anxiety spirals.
Product Spotlight
BioLite HeadLamp Series – these rechargeable, lightweight headlamps are ideal for nighttime grounding walks or campsite relaxation. Both include dim red-light modes that support calm, prevent eye strain, and preserve night vision.
Outdoor grounding — walking under stars, focusing on breath, or sitting quietly outside — helps many veterans discharge anxiety and reconnect with a sense of steady control. Reliable, comfortable lighting makes that easier to practice safely.
The holidays don’t have to be a battlefield. For veterans, structure, self-awareness, and purpose turn seasonal stress into renewal. Focus on what steadies you — familiar routines, small acts of service, nature, and mindful grounding — and let the rest fall away. You’ve already mastered resilience in tougher arenas. The same discipline, now directed toward peace, can make this season yours again.
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Many people have mental health or mood challenges during the holiday season. This is a prime time to do "buddy checks" and make sure your fellow Veterans [and friends] are doing. DAV East Valley Chapter 8 offers a safe place for Veterans to come and relax, talk with other Veterans, and be part of the Veteran brotherhood and sisterhood.
If you are feeling like you may want to hurt or kill yourself, or you are with or know of someone with that intent, call the Suicide Crisis Hotline at 988 and then press 1 to connect to a counselor who specializes in Veterans and their families.
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