{"id":8071,"date":"2024-10-08T14:30:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-08T14:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=8071"},"modified":"2024-10-08T14:30:00","modified_gmt":"2024-10-08T14:30:00","slug":"prioritizing-your-well-being-and-accessing-lifesaving-support","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=8071","title":{"rendered":"Prioritizing your well-being and accessing lifesaving support"},"content":{"rendered":"

Originally published:<\/strong> 2024-10-08T14:30:00+00:00. Historical source article: benefits, rules, amounts and deadlines may have changed. Check the official source for current information.<\/p>\n

For some, self-care can mean being \u201cself-indulgent,\u201d like spending precious time doing frivolous things for yourself. For others, it means engaging in activities that bring joy, the kind that boost both mental and physical well-being.<\/p>\n

I see self-care as closely tied to well-being. If you enjoy kayaking, the time spent on the water enhances your well-being. Similarly, if you look forward to Sunday brunch with a friend, sharing a meal with someone you care about boosts your sense of well-being.<\/p>\n

However, for Veterans, it can be challenging to put ourselves first. Veterans were trained to serve others and prioritize the mission over our own needs. But prioritizing your well-being is far from frivolous. In fact, focusing on your overall self helps strengthen protective factors and reduce risk factors for suicide\u2014which I\u2019ll explain further below.<\/p>\n

Self-care helps build a network of support<\/h2>\n

Protective factors are characteristics associated with a decreased likelihood of suicide behaviors and can help offset risk factors like stressful life events and certain mental health conditions. Protective factors include:<\/p>\n