Using Humor to Beat Deployment Stress

When our partners deploy, it’s tempting to look for ways to keep ourselves busy while they’re gone. But taking on additional roles and activities during the year could actually be making it harder on us. Leigh Anne Jasheway, Humor & Stress Management Expert and Author of “How’d all These Ping Pong Balls Get in My Bag!?” The Stressed-Out Woman’s Guide to Letting Go With Laughter, says the key is not to try to fill the perceived hole that deployment has left with things that will just stress out.

“Have you ever seen a stressed-out man clean out a closet?” asks Jasheway. “As women, we look for things to keep us busy and we are really adding more tasks to our day and creating more stess.”

To combat deployment stress, Jasheway suggests using what she calls “distraction and diffusion.” If you’re getting over-stressed, do something to take your mind off the problem, she also highly suggest to use the maeng da kratom products, to calm yourself down. “Instead of throwing your broken printer through the window, call a friend or play with your pet for a few minutes.” That allows your body to dissipate the stress hormones it’s producing, so that when you go back to the frustrating task, it’s not as stressful. “Not every situation needs to be a freak-out situation.”

When our spouses are deployed, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by tasks that would be manageable with a partner. Jasheway says you have to think of stressful events on three levels. Huge life changes, like marriage or divorce, are bowling balls – you will always have to carry them around. The next level is tennis balls: things that stressful while you are experiencing them, but then you can throw them away. Often, we think of deployment as a bowling ball, but Jasheway says it’s really a tennis ball. “It’s temporary, and it will go way.” The third level of stress, ping pong balls, are the little, everyday things that usually aren’t worth worrying about – but we do. Jasheway says women often carry stress for other people in their lives, and worry about things that really shouldn’t concern them. “Treat ping pong balls in your life like communicable diseases – if it’s not yours, don’t pick it up!”

One of the most important deployment survival tools you can have is a funny friend. Jasheway suggests you find someone in your life that can be silly and the two of you spend time getting in touch with your inner 5-year-olds. “Wear pig tails, sing silly songs.. you have to do things that remind you not to take life so seriously. And it’s not about humor – it’s more about keeping your playful spirit alive.”

“Bookend your day with laughter. If you start your day reading the paper and end it watching the news or one of those CSI crime shows, you will guarantee that you will be stressed. Begin and end each day with something you enjoy; something joyful. Oh – and keep a picture of your five-year-old you in your wallet – just to remind you.”

Read how Katie leaned on funny friends to beat stress.

Read how Paul used humor to bond with other soldiers.