Moving to a new duty station is one of those times in life when everything feels chaotic. If you’re like me, your wellness routine is usually the first thing to take a hit. There’s so much to do. Unpacking boxes, figuring out where the grocery store is, and adjusting to a new time zone don’t even get me started on learning the weather. I’ve been there – multiple times. And the thing that always falls off my to-do list? Anything wellness-related.
But here’s the truth. When your wellness suffers, everything else follows. You feel sluggish. Your mood dips. Being present in your day-to-day life is harder because you’re just trying to get by. I get it. Wellness seems like the last thing you should prioritize when you’re literally drowning in tasks. But I promise, carving out even a little time for yourself will make a huge difference.
Why Wellness Always Takes a Back Seat
First, let’s get real about why this happens. When you’re adjusting to a new duty station, everything feels urgent. You’re navigating new surroundings, dealing with potential culture shock, and often facing the stress of leaving behind your support network. Whether you’ve moved from the dry heat of Arizona to the humidity of Florida or settling in a completely new country, your body and mind are dealing with many new stressors.
As a result, it’s easy to prioritize what feels most pressing:
- Setting up utilities
- Getting the car registered
- Finding the best coffee spot
- Hunting down the closest Target
Those are all necessary things, but it’s just as important to figure out what your new wellness routine will look like. Even when you feel like your schedule is bursting, making time for your well-being is crucial to feeling grounded in your new space.
Getting To Know Your New Climate
When it comes to wellness at a new duty station, the climate is probably the biggest factor to adjust to. Whether you’ve been living in a mild, breezy California town and suddenly find yourself in the middle of a sweltering Texas summer, or you’ve traded the warm beaches of Florida for the snow-covered winters of Colorado, your body has to acclimate.
The first few days or even weeks can feel weird. Your skin might be drier, you might be sweating more than usual, or maybe you feel tired more often. All of this impacts how you approach your wellness routine. What worked for you in one place might need tweaking to make sense in the new environment. If you were used to running outside in perfect weather year-round, a station change to a rainy or colder climate might make you rethink your workouts.
Take it slow. You don’t have to leap into a new routine on day one. Give yourself time to get used to the climate and be flexible.
Building in Self-Care
In addition to adjusting to a new climate, remember self-care. It’s easy to think self-care has to be big or expensive, but it really doesn’t. Self-care is about finding ways to care for your mind and body in small, consistent ways.
The key is to find those little moments that allow you to pause. Whether it’s journaling at the end of a long day, stretching for ten minutes in the morning, or making yourself a cup of tea before bed, self-care doesn’t have to be elaborate to make an impact.
Building Your Community
Another part of wellness that we often overlook? Community. And let’s be honest. Moving means we lose a little bit of that connection, at least at first. This is why it’s so important to start rebuilding that sense of community early on. Military spouse life can feel isolating, especially after a move, but others are always going through the same thing.
Look for local spouse groups, whether it’s on Facebook or in real life. Join a fitness class or go to a spouse meet-up. Even if you’re feeling introverted after a big move, making that first step toward connection can be a huge game changer. Knowing you have people around you who understand your life and your challenges can ease the stress and make your new duty station feel more like home.
Give Yourself Grace
Lastly, give yourself some grace. There’s no rush to figure it all out. If your wellness routine isn’t perfect right away, that’s okay. You’re navigating a big transition. Instead of beating yourself up for not working out or eating perfectly right off the bat, acknowledge the small wins. Maybe you went for a walk today or tried a new recipe that made you feel good. Celebrate that.
We can be our worst critics, but military spouse life is about adaptability and resilience. So, take it one step at a time. Wellness isn’t about perfection; it’s about feeling good in your body and mind. And sometimes, feeling good looks different depending on where you are and what’s going on in your life.
Ultimately, your wellness routine at a new duty station doesn’t have to be fancy or perfectly organized. It just needs to feel good to you. Embrace the changes, take care of yourself in the small moments, and remember that you’ve got this. Each new station is a fresh opportunity to figure out what wellness means to you in this new season of life.